Patrick Kluivert Views Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia Match as a 'Final'

October 7, 2025 | 08:38 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team is aiming for a direct qualification spot in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Patrick Kluivert, the coach of the Indonesian national team, has asserted that his team is ready to do whatever it takes to secure victory in the fourth round of the Asian qualification zone.

In this stage, Indonesia is placed in Group B alongside Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Their first match will be against Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 00:15 a.m. Jakarta time.

"We consider this match a final. We will do whatever it takes to achieve a positive result, and we have the confidence that we will perform strongly," Kluivert stated during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

The Garuda squad has brought 29 players for these two crucial matches. Players from the BRI Liga 1 had departed for Jeddah last week, while those who play abroad only joined at the beginning of this week.

Despite the tight schedule for the arrival of players from abroad, Kluivert doesn't see it as an obstacle. "We have no concerns about this match. I have full confidence in my team. We are used to playing in situations like this," said the 49-year-old Dutch coach.

Indonesia will be without its main goalkeeper, Emil Audero Mulyadi, who has been impressive with Cremonese in the Italian Serie A this season. Emil is absent due to an injury sustained while playing for his club against Como at the end of September.

Kluivert acknowledged Emil's absence as a loss for the team, but he still has faith in the available options. "The absence of the goalkeeper does have an impact, but we have suitable replacements," he said. Indonesia still has four other goalkeepers ready to play: Maarten Paes, Nadeo Argawinata, Ernando Ari, and Reza Arya.

After facing Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian national team will take on Iraq at the same venue on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 02:30 a.m. Jakarta time. Only the group winner will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The second-placed team will advance to the fifth round of qualifiers, while the third-placed team will be eliminated.

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