Indonesian National Team's Attack and Defense Quality Declines in Patrick Kluivert Era

The defeat against Japan, which was quite absolute, does not need to be mourned for too long. With less than four months remaining until the fourth round in October, it is also not a long time to prepare oneself.

Indonesia's coach Patrick Kluivert has met the minimum target to advance to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The "Garuda" squad has accumulated 12 points from 10 matches, with three wins, three draws, and four losses. A record of nine goals scored and 20 goals conceded characterizes Indonesia's performance in the third round.

When comparing the influence of Kluivert with the performance of Shin Tae-yong, who has led in six matches, both coaches have each delivered six points. Kluivert recorded two wins and two losses, while Shin achieved a positive result with three draws and two losses.

In comparing the final results, there are clearly positive and negative aspects between Kluivert and Shin. Therefore, it is only fitting that both coaches receive equal appreciation for leading Indonesia to make new history in its journey in the World Cup qualifiers.

Do not forget that Indonesia is the Southeast Asian team with the best performance in the World Cup qualifying tournament. Garuda has surpassed Thailand and Vietnam, which each represented ASEAN in the third round of the 2018 and 2022 editions.

Although Indonesia has already secured a ticket to the fourth round, there remains much homework for Kluivert and his coaching staff to address in order to fulfill Indonesia's grand dream of qualifying for the main stage of the 2026 World Cup.

At the very least, the issues of offense and defense must be addressed by the Dutch tactician for Rizky Ridho and his teammates as they head into the fourth round in October.

In four matches under Kluivert, Indonesia was only able to score three goals. All goals were scored in the matches against Australia, Bahrain, and China. Ole Romeny is the only player who managed to register on the scoreboard during Kluivert's era.

In the face of Japan, Indonesia's attacking line was powerless. There were no shots that could be created by the Garuda squad. Indonesia also failed to make any touches in the penalty area of Japan.

The only ball directed towards the Japanese penalty area was created in the 89th minute when midfielder Thom Haye delivered a cross from the left side of the Japanese defense. Unfortunately, the ball was not met by the substitute left-back, Shayne Pattynama.

Three goals in the last four matches clearly indicate a decline when referring to Indonesia's attacking performance over six games under Shin. Garuda scored six goals in six matches. The sources of the goals are also more varied, as they were scored by five different players. They are Marselino Ferdinan (2 goals) and one goal each from Sandy Walsh, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Rafael Struick, and Thom.

Overall, Indonesia's performance with Kluivert has shown a decline. Indonesia only produced an average of eight shots per game. Meanwhile, in the six games prior to Kluivert's arrival, Garuda averaged nine shots per match.

Considering the accuracy of the shots, the performance during Kluivert's era has worsened. In four matches under the Dutch coach, Indonesia has only produced 2.5 shots on target per game. This is a decline compared to four shots on goal per game in the previous six matches.

Indeed, Kluivert was able to present a playing pattern that helped the Garuda make more touches in the opponent's penalty area. The record of 25 touches in the penalty area against China, followed by 11 touches in the penalty area against Bahrain, and 19 touches in the dangerous area against Australia, represents a better record compared to the first meeting.

The decrease only occurred when facing Japan. When hosting the "Blue Samurai" in Jakarta, Indonesia made 15 touches in the Japanese penalty area.

Kluivert acknowledges that the attacking line is the main priority that needs to be addressed in his squad ahead of the fourth round. It is evident that Kluivert does not solely rely on Ole. There needs to be an alternative goal scorer developed by Kluivert when a bad day overshadows the player from Oxford United.

"I think we need more power in our finishing. The playoffs (fourth round) will be a completely new start, so we want to make fresh improvements to prepare for that round," Kluivert said in a press conference after losing to Japan at Suita City Football Stadium, Osaka, Tuesday (10/6/2025).

Indonesia managed to record two goalless matches against Bahrain and China in Jakarta. However, conceding 11 goals in two away matches in Australia and Japan certainly indicates a significant problem in Indonesia's defense line. Interestingly, in the two matches that ended in heavy defeats, Rizky Ridho did not play as a starting player.

He came on as a substitute at home to Australia, but a hamstring injury kept him out of the game against Japan.

However, despite the influence of one player, statistics show Indonesia's defense has worsened under Kluivert's control.

From the perspective of the average quantity of shots taken by opponents, there has indeed been a decrease from an average of 17 shots faced in six games with Shin to only 11 shots per match. However, the accuracy of opponents' shots has increased in Indonesia's last four matches in the third round.

Four opponents produced an average of six accurate shots per game, whereas previously, under Shin, six matches were played with an average of 4.5 accurate shots per match faced by goalkeeper Maarten Paes.

The poor record of winning duels in the penalty box and the final third, especially during encounters with Australia and Japan, has made Indonesia's goal a soft target for the two teams that have already qualified for the main stage of the 2026 World Cup.

The Garuda squad is too easily allowing opponents to take shots within the penalty area. This certainly serves as a warning ahead of the fourth round match against teams from the Middle East.

Together with Kluivert in four matches, 72 percent of the opponents' shots were made inside the Indonesian penalty area. This figure significantly increased from 62 percent of shots that came from the 16-meter box in the six games prior to Kluivert's arrival. This statistic is one of the reasons for the rise in the average number of shots on target produced by the opponents of the Garuda squad.

"Our defense was weak today. We will try to improve to play much better in the next round," Kluivert promised.

Takefusa Kubo, the attacking midfielder from Japan, issued a warning to Indonesia to perform better in the fourth round. According to the player from Real Sociedad, Indonesia's decreased intensity in pressure during the middle of the second half allowed his team to comfortably confine the Garuda squad's defense.

"After we scored the first goal, Indonesia's game slowed down. Gradually, that made it easier for us," said Kubo, who has the opportunity to appear in his second World Cup with Japan next year.

This homework cannot be completed as easily as turning over one's hand. Moreover, Kluivert only has two friendly matches in September to address the shortcomings of his team.

It is no wonder that the Garuda squad's progress in the fourth round is also a gamble for Kluivert to prove his quality as a coach.