JAKARTA - The Japanese League or J.League has become one of the leading league barometers on the Asian stage. A number of players from various parts of Asia are targeting the J.League as a reference for their career goals. This cannot be separated from the J.League status as one of the best competitions in Asia today. In fact, many of the players who graduated from the Meiji Yasuda J1 League, the highest caste competition in Japan, have now played in Europe.

J.League is a storefront for players who are aiming for the target of becoming a top footballer. Not infrequently, many talent scouts hunt for potential players from Asia by looking at the Meiji Yasuda J1 League.

That is also what makes Indonesian players often dream of being able to play in the J. League, either for the highest level or just defending a club in a second caste competition or what is now called the Meiji Yasuda J2 League.

Last season, the J.League's official partner conducted a poll about Indonesian players who were eligible to play in the Japanese League. Of the 25 names, then the top 15 names were selected which will now be re-netted into the top five. Indonesian football fans can also participate in choosing the players who are considered the most worthy to play in the Japanese League through a poll at the end of this paper.

Here are 15 players aged 18 to 25 from Indonesia who might be eligible to play in the J.League:

1. Ryuji Utomo (Persija / Penang FC)

Ryuji Utomo is an Indonesian player who has experience defending clubs abroad.

He was elected to the Indonesian SAD team which trained in Uruguay in the 2011-2012 period. Then, he strengthened the Bahrain club, Al Najma, and took part in the Thai League competition with PTT Rayong.

Currently, Ryuji is undergoing a loan period at the Malaysian club, Penang FC, from Persija Jakarta.

Ryuji is arguably one of the players who is so focused on maintaining his physical standards. Such a disciplined attitude is needed for players who want to take part in the J.League.

With his various experiences at the international level, this player who can play in various defensive positions seems worthy of being looked at by one of the J1 League clubs.

2. Yanto Basna (PT Prachuap FC)

This player from Papua has played in the Thai League for the last three years. Starting from Khon Kaen FC (2018), Sukhothai FC (2019), and strengthening PT Prachuap FC in Thailand's highest competition this season.

He also admits that he has the desire to compete in the J.League. With his status as a defender for the Indonesian national team and his experience in Thailand, Yanto Basna seems worthy of strengthening the J1 League club.

Moreover, with PT Prachuap he is currently one of the main choices in the position of center back at PT Prachuap.

3. Amiruddin Bagus Kahfi (FC Utrecht)

Bagus has just joined the Dutch League club, FC Utrecht, from Barito Putera. This young man from Magelang is a type of attacker who is hungry for goals and he is still young.

At the age of 18, Bagus Kahfi is now trying to play outside Indonesia. Eredivisie aside, the Meiji Yasuda J1 League is a sensible goal.

The ability of the Indonesian U-19 national team player in the era of Fakhri Husaini will be more mature in Japan, which often maximizes the talents of young players.