Indonesia Hosts Taiwan and Lebanon in World Cup Qualifying Preparations

SURABAYA, KOMPAS — The Indonesian national team will participate in an international friendly match or FIFA Match Day at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya, East Java. Indonesia will face Taiwan on Friday (5/9/2025) and Lebanon on Monday (8/9/2025).

For the Garuda team, both matches are quite important as preparation for the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the United States-Mexico-Canada. Indonesia is in Group B of the fourth round of qualification, scheduled to face the host country Saudi Arabia (ranked 59) on October 8, 2025, and Iraq (ranked 58) on October 11, 2025.

For match day in Surabaya, Indonesia was scheduled to face Kuwait. However, two weeks ago, Kuwait (ranked 138) withdrew. Indonesia was unable to secure a replacement in a short time. Kuwait was seen as an ideal opponent to assess the playing styles of Middle Eastern teams like Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

Patrick Kluivert, the Dutch football legend who is now the head coach of Indonesia, expressed his disappointment over Kuwait's withdrawal. However, at this moment, Indonesia is prepared to face Taiwan and then Lebanon.

"We are ready, the team's spirit is very good, and we desire victory," said Kluivert at a press conference before training at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Thursday (4/9/2025) evening. For both matches in Surabaya, this Ajax Amsterdam-trained legend considers it not just a trial but a serious preparation for qualification.

Kluivert continued, the depth of the Garuda squad is nearly complete. The arrival of several players is still awaited, particularly defender Calvin Verdonk (28) from Lille. In addition, the newly naturalized attacking trio consisting of Adrian Wibowo (19) from Los Angeles, Mauro Zijlstra (20) from Volendam, and Miliano Jonathans (21) from Utrecht.

Defender Rizky Ridho (23) from Persija Jakarta added that the team's atmosphere is also good. Indonesia is filled with high confidence to host Taiwan and then Lebanon. Indonesia aims to win in order to solidify preparations for the match against Saudi Arabia.

In a meet-and-greet with fans and customers of IM3 and 3, goalkeeper Emil Audero Mulyadi (28) from Cremonese stated that international friendly matches are important to undertake. The match against Taiwan should not be viewed merely as a trial but as a serious preparation effort.

According to 11v11, Indonesia and Taiwan have clashed three times. Indonesia won 2-0 in an international friendly home match on November 24, 2010, 2-1 on October 7, 2011, and 3-0 on October 11, 2021, in the Asian Cup playoffs.

Statistically, Indonesia is far superior to Taiwan. However, Kluivert reminds that his team should not be complacent. The international friendly match must be conducted well, ending in victory, and enhancing preparations for the World Cup qualifiers.

Defender James (25) from Go Ahead Eagles stated that the journey to the World Cup is something that must be fought for. Breaking into the final round of this grandest football tournament in the world is the dream of all players.

Indonesia has never advanced, although it was recorded as participating in the 3rd edition of the World Cup in France in 1938 as the Dutch East Indies, prior to the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on August 17, 1945.