Indonesian National Team's Harmonious Squad is the Capital to Pursue Victory Over China

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The intensive training camp for one week in Gianyar, Bali, has had a positive impact on the Indonesian national team squad. The understanding among the players has become more cohesive, and they also increasingly comprehend the philosophy and playing approach desired by Coach Patrick Kluivert to face China.

The match against China will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Thursday (5/6/2025) at 20:45 WIB. Meanwhile, Indonesia is in fourth place with a total of nine points in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Rizky Ridho and his teammates are four points behind Australia in second place, which is necessary to accompany Japan to the 2026 World Cup.

The Indonesian national team held their first training session in Jakarta ahead of the match against China on Monday (2/6/2025) at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium. A total of 29 players out of the 32 called up by Kluivert have participated in the training.

The last name to join is right-back Kevin Diks, who did not participate in the training camp in Bali due to two closing matches of the season with Copenhagen. Kevin and his teammates arrived at Madya Stadium at around 18:05 WIB.

Mees Hilgers and Stefano Lilipaly were the first two players to disembark from the bus. Justin Hubner was the last player to exit the bus and enter the training field.

Only the goalkeeper, Maarten Paes, will join starting Wednesday (4/6/2025). Maarten is confirmed to be absent in the match against China on Thursday (5/6/2025) due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

The absence of Maarten ensures that Emil Audero, the Palermo goalkeeper on loan from Como, will make his debut with the Indonesian national team against China. The goalkeeper, a graduate of the Juventus Academy, is also the focal point of goalkeeper preparation under the guidance of Goalkeeper Coach Sjoerd Woudenberg.

Emil became the first goalkeeper to undergo a simulation training menu of cross pass melee, then the attack build-up process. Three other goalkeepers, namely Ernando Ari (Persebaya Surabaya) and Reza Arya (PSM Makassar), guarded the assistant goal. Meanwhile, Nadeo Argawinata (Borneo FC) was assigned as an opposing player who tried to win aerial duels and press when the ball was controlled by Emil.

Regarding the training program he has undergone in Bali and Jakarta, Emil acknowledged that the team's cohesion has improved significantly. He observed that the individual development of players and the collective squad has greatly increased compared to the matches in March.

"The training camp in Bali provides us with the advantage of understanding each other and enhancing our cohesion. I am 100 percent focused on preparing myself to deliver the best performance," said Emil before the training began on Monday evening.

In addition to being eager to make his debut with the Garuda squad, the 28-year-old goalkeeper is also looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the supporters at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. According to Emil, the support from the fans is crucial in injecting competitive spirit into the Garuda squad.

"I also wear a bracelet from Mataram (West Nusa Tenggara), my birthplace. This is a form of my love and pride in playing for the Indonesian national team," said Emil, showing the red bracelet on his right wrist.

The improved condition of the squad was also felt by the General Chair of PSSI, Erick Thohir, who observed the training. While present at the Madya Stadium, Erick was accompanied by the Head of Talent Scouting for the Indonesian National Team, Simon Tahamata, and the former coach of the Indonesian U-20 team, Indra Sjafri.

In addition to the three of them, PSSI technical advisor Jordi Cruyff was also present. He had a conversation with Kluivert before the training session began at around 18:15 WIB.

"In Bali, the players have ample time for joint training and recovery after a long season. I see that the chemistry among the players has developed, so we just need to see the results (against China)," said Erick.

He added, "The activities in Bali are part of team development. We can involve a sense of togetherness among the players that I have never seen before. This is because, until now, they have only gathered one or two days before playing."

Erick emphasized that the Indonesian national team is solely focused on pursuing three points against China. According to Erick, victory is an obligation to maintain hopes of advancing to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In addition to the four goalkeepers who trained separately from the start, 25 outfield players underwent the entire physical and tactical training menu given by Kluivert in full. Kevin, who just arrived in Jakarta from Copenhagen on Sunday night, did not appear to have any physical problems or jetlag. Only a bandage on his right thigh brightened up the appearance of the full-back who will join Borussia Moenchengladbach in the 2025-2026 season.

Another debutant player, Beckham Putra, also did not face any obstacles in participating in the training session with the Indonesian national team. Beckham appeared enthusiastic, displaying his characteristic smile since the start of the training.

Meanwhile, the Chinese squad arrived in Jakarta on Monday night. In preparation for facing Indonesia, the team coached by Branko Ivankovic has been undergoing a training camp at the Shanghai Training Center located in the SAIC Pudong Football Stadium complex, which is the home ground of the Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port, over the past week.

The President of the Chinese Football Association (CFA), Song Kai, also witnessed the final training session in person last Sunday. He was accompanied by CFA Vice President Xu Jiren.

Wang Yudong, the teenage striker from China, has the opportunity to play his second match with the "Dragon Team" at SUGBK. According to Yudong, the senior players from China have helped him to quickly adapt in order to showcase his best performance if he is deployed against Indonesia.

"I will repay the coach's trust and help my teammates if I play. I have the ability and speed that will be useful to disrupt the opponent's defense (Indonesia)," said Yudong, who became the most prolific local player in the 2025 Chinese Super League, as reported by Suho. The 18-year-old has contributed eight goals for Zhejiang FC.