REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian national team will host Japan and Australia in the continuation of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Zone Asia Zone. The matches are planned to be held in mid-November, respectively against Japan (15/11/2024) and Saudi Arabia (19/11/2024) at the Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) Main Stadium in Senayan Jakarta.

Imum PSSI chairman Erick Thohir hopes Shin Tae-yong's (STY) youth team will be able to score points in the two matches. This is so that the target of occupying the four positions of Group C can be achieved.

“STY's realistic target is the top four position in Group C. If two games are played in Senayan, we can save points, so that we can occupy the ranking of four groups,” said Erick Thohir while attending the opening of Munas PP Perbasi on Monday (28/10/2024).

In order to achieve this goal, PSSI will provide full support to the Indonesian national team. Erick gave the example of PSSI providing chartered aircraft for travel from Bahrain to China.

Erick added that the PSSI also always adds to the player's ammunition. “If we want to go up to the level of the world, we need coaches and players of good quality. For the naturalization of Kevin Diks, Kemenpora has sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice and is being processed. Hopefully, according to the target of February or March, it will be completed,” Erick said.

Facing Japan and Saudi Arabia, as usual according to Erick, the Indonesian national team players will be collected H-4 before FIFA Match Day for players playing in Liga 1. Whereas those who play abroad will adjust most importantly maintaining the fitness of the players.

Regarding the results of the last two matches, which were a 2-2 draw against Bahrain and a 1-2 loss to China Erick admitted that he had already made an evaluation. “When Bahrain's opponents have won, we finally have a draw. When our Chinese opponents are helpless, we evaluate them,” Erick said.

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