2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Garuda Face Tough Path, Kluivert Remains Optimistic
Source: Between
The Indonesian National Team has begun warming up ahead of a crucial 2026 World Cup Qualifier match. At local time Friday night, the Garuda squad held their first training session in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as preparation before facing the host nation in their opening match of the fourth round next week.
In a video shared by PSSI from Jakarta on Saturday, 15 players were seen participating.
Thirteen players came from BRI Liga 1, plus Ramadhan Sananta who currently plays for DPMM FC in the Malaysian League, and Ole Romeny who plays for Oxford United in the English Championship.
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Head coach Patrick Kluivert, who led the first session directly, couldn't hide his satisfaction.
"I'm incredibly happy. The spirit shown by the players is fantastic. The team spirit is very high. The training we did, the players executed it very well. So I'm very happy with the first training," he said.
Some of the players present included Marc Klok, Jordi Amat, Beckham Putra, Rizky Ridho, Egy Maulana Vikri, Yakob Sayuri, Yance Sayuri, Ricky Kambuaya, Stefano Lilipaly, Thom Haye, Eliano Reijnders, and Ramadhan Sananta.
Ole Romeny also joined, despite doubts about his participation after a serious injury in the 2025 President's Cup. In the goalkeeper position, Nadeo Argawinata and Ernando Ari have already joined.
Although the squad is not yet complete, Kluivert is not worried. There are still 14 other players who will join in phases before the opening match at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 00:15 AM Western Indonesia Time.
Those playing in Europe are scheduled to arrive after completing their final matches with their clubs on Sunday and Monday Indonesian time.
"I think everyone knows how we work because we've also experienced situations before where players come little by little, they arrive and they will immediately integrate into the system, so I'm not worried about how they arrive," Kluivert added.
As a note, only the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the 2026 World Cup. The second-place teams still have a chance through the fifth round, while the third-place teams are automatically eliminated. (Antara)
