Beat Bahrain, Kluivert Returns to Starting Formation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The 1-0 victory over Bahrain on Tuesday night (25/3/2025) at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, has helped the Indonesian national team move closer to its initial target, namely advancing to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The "Garuda" squad only needs to defeat China next June to secure at least fourth place.

Backed by the support of 69,599 fans at SUGBK, Indonesia's goal was created through the collaboration of two players from Oxford United, Ole Romeny and Marselino Ferdinan. Ole scored the goal in the 24th minute after capitalizing on an assist from Marselino.

The smoother path for Patrick Kluivert's protégés to the next round was also influenced by Australia's 2-0 victory over China. With this situation, Indonesia remains in fourth place with a total of nine points, three points ahead of Bahrain and China.

From my perspective, this result is just the beginning for me. In June, I will have more time to address shortcomings and assist the team and players better.

Indonesia also holds a superior head-to-head record against Bahrain, so if both teams have the same points in the final standings, the Garuda squad will be ranked higher.

Indonesia's coach, Patrick Kluivert, is proud of the performance of his team. He believes that Indonesia should have been able to score more goals against Bahrain.

"From my point of view, this result is just the beginning for me. In June, I will have more time to improve my weaknesses and help the team and players improve," Kluivert said in a post-match press conference.

On the other hand, Indonesia's chances of pursuing direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup through the third round are getting slimmer. The reason is, Garuda is still four points behind Australia who sits in second place. In addition, Indonesia is also one point behind Saudi who is ranked one rank better than Jay Idzes and friends.

Indonesia's final match in the third round will be presented at Japan's home ground. Although the "Blue Samurai" team has ensured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, they want to maintain their dignity and are determined to collect as many points as possible to improve their ranking in the FIFA rankings which will affect the 2026 World Cup group stage draw pot in December.

"Congratulations to Indonesia for the victory. However, I really regret the chants of Indonesian supporters which were very bad," said Bahrain Coach Dragan Talajic.

Talajic highlighted the Indonesian supporters' chants calling Bahraini players "mafia". The chants were present from before the match started until the end of the first half.

Kluivert achieved a sweet debut at home thanks to returning to the formation and playing style previously used by his predecessor, Shin Tae-yong. For the first time in his coaching career, Kluivert deployed a three-defender formation. The center-back trio of Rizky Ridho, Jay Idzes, and Justin Hubner were returned by Kluivert.

The three defenders have appeared in four Garuda matches in the third round. As a result, the toughness of the three in the defensive zone presented seven points consisting of wins against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, then a draw against Australia and a loss to Japan.

In addition to the three defenders, Kluivert implemented a 3-4-3 formation. Two wing-backs, Calvin Verdonk on the left and Kevin Diks on the right with three defenders in line when not in possession of the ball and defending. Then, they made Indonesia have five attackers in line when in possession of the ball.

The attacking trident is filled by Marselino, Ole, and Ragnar Oratmangoen. Marselino was returned to move from the wing after appearing in the middle in the match against Australia in Sydney. The ball control skills and movement of the Persebaya Surabaya-trained player made it difficult for the left side defense of the "Dilmun Troops", Bahrain's nickname.

Kluivert does not see any change in his playing approach compared to his first two matches with the Indonesian national team.

"In terms of the game approach, there is no difference that I have implemented. I only made changes up front with three players, Marselino and Ragnar with Ole," he said.

Despite being able to score one goal and three shots in the first half, thus leading Bahrain who only scored one shot, Indonesia was not too dominant in controlling the ball. The record of 47 percent ball possession in the first half showed that Garuda's attack sector appeared more effective in the second game led by Kluivert.

When in possession, Thom Haye and Joey Pelupessy took turns controlling the tempo of the game. They were not in a rush to pass to the forwards.

Thom and Joey wait for the best momentum to produce diagonal passes towards the wings. Attacking with long diagonal passes towards the wings is a style that Shin applies by pushing the two full-backs in line with the attacking trio.

The tactic paid off when Thom released a long cross that directed the ball towards Marselino in the process of Indonesia's first goal.

In the second half, Indonesia created two golden opportunities, but failed to produce goals. Marselino got the chance by being one-on-one with Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla in the 67th minute.

A similar opportunity was also obtained by substitute player, Eliano Reijnders, in the 79th minute. Unfortunately, the kicks of the two players only brought the ball flying over the crossbar.

However, the victory over Bahrain presents a slight drawback for the Garuda squad. Marselino will be absent from the duel against China due to accumulation of yellow cards.

The number seven player received a yellow card in the 34th minute. Indonesia's assistant coach, Alex Pastoor, even got up from the bench in the 54th minute. He asked Marselino to be more careful and reduce his aggressiveness in winning the ball because he already had a yellow card.