International player Isa Warps moves between two football worlds
Kleve – The newcomer not only plays for VfR Warbeyen in the 2nd Bundesliga but also represents the Indonesian national team. To make her dream on the international stage come true, however, she had to make a difficult decision. This is her story.
That some VfR Warbeyen players are occasionally called up for training camps or sessions with their national teams is nothing new for the second-division club. As the women’s team has steadily climbed to higher sporting levels, the number of players appearing on the radar of (youth) national teams in their home countries has also grown. Isa Warps is one of those players. Yet, on her way to wearing the national shirt, she had to make a tough choice.
This year, the summer signing of VfR Warbeyen got the opportunity to represent Indonesia on the international stage. Isa’s father is half Indonesian and was born in the Netherlands, while her grandmother comes from Padang on the island of Sumatra.
At her previous club, Dutch top-flight side NAC Breda, her interest in joining the national team was not exactly met with enthusiasm — quite the opposite. The club’s management gave Warps an ultimatum: either finish the season with Breda or leave the team.
“I chose the national team because it’s a dream come true for me. I see it as a huge opportunity for my future – even beyond my football career,
says the 20-year-old.”
But living such a double life isn’t easy. Since February, when teammate Narjiss Ahamad flew back from the Moroccan national team to Germany in just one morning to play in a league match against SGS Essen II, everyone at the club has understood how demanding it can be to balance both club and country. Still, very few players would want to miss out on such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Isa Warps seized the moment.
At the end of June, she made her debut for the Indonesian national team. In the 1–0 victory over Kyrgyzstan during the qualifying round for the 2026 Asian Cup, Isa Warps even scored the decisive goal. She also appeared in four more matches, including games against Pakistan and Taiwan.
“Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to qualify for the Asian Cup. As a team, we still need to grow and develop more chemistry,
explains Warps, who plans to spend a few weeks in Indonesia next year to get to know the country beyond football.”
Her remarks about team chemistry in the national squad also apply to the current situation at VfR Warbeyen. In their home matches, the promoted side has already shown its potential several times — most recently in a 1–1 draw against Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Away from home, however, things haven’t quite clicked yet. The team currently has three heavy defeats to its name. Still, Isa Warps scored her first goal for VfR in the 1–7 loss against league leaders SC Sand. In the home match against FC Bayern Munich II (1–2) she also provided an assist; her pace is particularly effective on the wings.
“Especially in the match against Bayern, we held our own really well despite the loss. I’m sure we’ll get our first win soon. We’re working really hard,
says Warps, who earned her spot in the VfR squad after several trial trainings.”
She enjoys the level of play in the 2nd Bundesliga:
“It’s very intense here. I see it as a great opportunity to learn a lot and keep improving myself.”
Recently, Warps has also been used more frequently in a central position.
“Normally, I play more as a winger, but since we play with two strikers here, I’ve moved a bit more towards the middle.
I think I can help the team with my confidence and technical ability,
says Isa Warps.”
The article was published in the Rheinische Post newspaper.
