Emil Audero injured, Nadeo Argawinata's chance as Indonesia's main goalkeeper reopens.

Indonesia's national team journey in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers suffered a blow as Emil Audero is confirmed absent due to injury. The Cremonese goalkeeper fell during the match against Como in the fifth week of the 2025/2026 Italian League, in late September last year. 

For the Garuda squad, losing Emil feels like losing a newly established solid fortress.

However, amidst this bad news, there is a comeback story. Nadeo Argawinata's name has been recalled to the squad. 

The Borneo FC captain was initially not on the list, but his performances in the BRI Super League were too impressive to ignore. 

With six consecutive wins, Borneo sits comfortably at the top of the standings with 18 points, and Nadeo has been a key figure between the posts.

Indonesia's National Team Coach, Patrick Kluivert, did not hesitate to mention the goalkeeper's form. 

"Yes, Emil is absent. Marten will certainly be involved. But Nadeo, who has been performing very well at Borneo, he's also the captain. They are in first place in their competition. So it's good competition for Maarten and also for Nadeo. And that's what we want," he said in a video shared by PSSI from Jakarta on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

For Nadeo, this call-up is like a fresh start. He has collected 24 caps for the national team, but his last appearance was two years ago when Indonesia lost 1-5 to Iraq in the opening match of the second round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. 

Now, a second chance has come, on a bigger stage, under sharper scrutiny.

Kluivert acknowledged Emil's absence is a significant blow. 

"We want competition so that the goalkeeper position can be managed as well as possible, just like the players on the field," he said. 

The presence of Nadeo and the late call-up of Reza Arya are expected to maintain the quality of goalkeeper rotation alongside Maarten Paes and Ernando Ari.

On the horizon, two tough matches await: Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 9 at 00:15 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) and Iraq three days later on Sunday, October 12 at 02:30 WIB. Both matches will be held at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah. 

In this phase, only the top two teams earn direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. The runner-up still has a chance through the fifth round, while the third-placed team is eliminated immediately.

For Nadeo, the stage in Jeddah might not just be about guarding the goal. It's an opportunity to prove that a goalkeeper can rise again and stand tall defending the Red and White at the highest level. (Antara)