REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir targets the arrival of Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders to lead to points gains when the Indonesian national team plays away matches in Bahrain and China instead. The certainty that the two new ammunition could defend Garuda's squad came after FIFA declared that both could play for Indonesia following the official transfer of the federation from the KNVB to the PSSI.

“However, do not assume that when we play against Australia or Japan and any other team, our team is immediately positioned as a balanced opponent. FIFA rankings state that distinction. Since we are underdogs, then my goal with the presence of Mees and Eliano, we have to get points during the away games in Bahrain and China later,” said Erick Thohir in Jakarta, Wednesday (2/10/2024).

According to Erick, the goal of collecting 15 points in 10 matches in Group C in the third round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier is not an easy task as Indonesia's position is counted as the underdogs.

Currently, Jay Idzes et al finished fourth in the provisional Group C standings by taking two points from draws against Saudi Arabia, 1-1 and Australia, 0-0. Bahrain is third with three points, and China tops the standings with zero points after twice losing to Japan and Saudi Arabia.

“When the national team is able to compete with strong countries in Asia, our people are proud of football that is able to raise the dignity of Indonesia. This support that I expect comes directly in Bahrain and China later,” Erick said.

Indonesia national team coach Shin Tae-yong has called 27 names that will be carried in the ketuga match and all four of the third round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier. It is planned that the players in Indonesia will gather on October 5, 2024, and on October 6 will leave for Bahrain.

Indonesia will fight Bahrain on Thursday (10/10/2024) and then continue to visit China on Tuesday (15/10/2024).

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