Indonesian National Team Faces Two Final Matches with More Mature Preparation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — After playing two matches this March, the Indonesian national team is already leading the competition heading into the fourth round, ahead of its two closest rivals in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. To keep their hopes alive for the main stage next year, the "Garuda" squad will prepare themselves better ahead of the final two games in June.

Jay Idzes and his teammates will face China at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on June 6, 2025. Then, four days later, they will play the final match of the third round in Japan's home ground.

With three months remaining, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has planned a longer preparation period to enhance the team's performance under the leadership of Patrick Kluivert.

In June, competitions in Europe and Indonesia's Liga 1 will have concluded their 2024-2025 season campaigns. Referring to the schedules of 12 leagues where Indonesian players are active, the Malaysian Super League, where defender Jordi Amat pursues his career, is set to end earlier on April 26.

Three European leagues that are the origin of the Garuda squad, such as the Italian League, the Danish League, and the Belgian League, will conclude their competitions on May 25. Indonesia's Liga 1 will enter its final week on May 24.

The Dutch League has already concluded its 2024-2025 season on May 18. The only competition still ongoing in June will be the Major League Soccer (MLS). However, Maarten Paes's team, FC Dallas, will play their final match before the mid-year international break on June 1.

After the competition ends at the end of May, the Indonesian national team players can immediately start longer preparations.

That condition is certainly different from the match this March, as the players only gathered in full for one week. Those seven days included both the training period and the match.

The Garuda squad can prepare themselves at least seven days before facing China. PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir does not only want players to train. As a result, PSSI also plans to schedule a trial match before facing China.

PSSI did this in June 2024, by inviting Tanzania to undergo a training match before meeting Iraq in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"We will look for more time to prepare for the match in June. Players need time to build trust among themselves. That is to maintain hope for our dream of going to the World Cup," said Erick after watching the match between Indonesia and Bahrain, Tuesday (3/25/2025) night, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.

The hope of reaching the 2026 World Cup was also conveyed by President Prabowo Subianto who for the first time watched the Indonesian national team match since becoming the number one person of the Republic of Indonesia. Not only watching in the Naratama SUGBK tribune, the President also welcomed the players at the team hotel before leaving for the stadium, Tuesday evening.

"Hopefully, we still have a chance to continue to advance. God willing (to make it to the World Cup). I think (our game) is pretty good," the President said.

PSSI also has the opportunity to add one more naturalized player. He is FC Utrecht winger Miliano Jonathans.

After defeating Bahrain 1-0, Tuesday (3/25/2025) night, Indonesia was able to maintain its consistency in third or fourth place achieved since winning over Saudi Arabia last November. Kluivert's team has collected nine points from eight games, so they are three points ahead of Bahrain and China who have only collected six points.

Indonesia is below Japan (20 points), Australia (13 points), and Saudi (10 points). Referring to the temporary standings, Indonesia's biggest chance is to continue the struggle towards the 2026 World Cup to the fourth round.

For the next round, Indonesia holds its own control. The Garuda squad only needs a win against China to secure at least fourth place.

Even if they lose in the last game against Japan, a win over China means that Indonesia's points tally cannot be surpassed by Bahrain and China. With equal points, Indonesia is certain to be in a better position than Bahrain thanks to the superiority of the meeting record.

As for winning the meeting record over China, Indonesia must win by a minimum of two goals. Because, in the first meeting at China's home ground, last October, Indonesia suffered a 1-2 defeat.

"We are just at the beginning of this project. I hope everyone continues to trust us because we have a great opportunity to give something to Indonesian football," said Indonesian Coach Patrick Kluivert in a press conference after the match.

In fact, Indonesia's path to take second place and accompany Japan to the 2026 World Cup is not completely closed. However, Indonesia is not enough to just win against China and Japan.

The Garuda squad needs a miracle because they need to hope that Australia and Saudi fail to win their last two matches. The two teams will meet at Saudi headquarters on June 10. The duel has the potential to determine which team ends Group C in second place.

"We still have a chance (for second place), although it is very difficult. We will try to win the remaining matches, but our fate to qualify is also influenced by Australia," said Kluivert.

The Dutch tactician added, "Our main goal is to qualify for the World Cup (2026). If we can't qualify directly, then we will fight until the end."