REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian national team will have to play without one of its best defenders when it faces Japan on Friday (15/11/2024) night at Gelora Bung Karno Utama Stadium (SUGBK) Senayan, Jakarta. Mees Hilgers was unable to join because he is recovering from a hamstring injury in the Netherlands.

The absence of Mees will indeed affect Indonesia's defensive line. Because the FC Twente defender has a wealth of experience in dealing with great strikers in both the Dutch League and the Europa League.

However Mees' absence was masked with the presence of Kevin Diks. The FC Copenhagen defender is certain to play against Japan.

Mees delivered his apology for not being able to join his comrades in the Garuda squad. He also wished Garuda squad be able to earn points in home games later.

“I apologize for not being able to strengthen the Indonesian national team at this time, because it still needs time to fully recover so that I can give my best in the next match,” Mees wrote on his Instagram account.

“It's hard not to be on the field to feel like my Indonesian national team mates, especially I've never felt the SUGBK atmosphere when the team plays, but I will be there at every step of their way,” he said.

Mees also prayed to the Indonesian national team at his home match later. “Hope Indonesia gets points in these two games! ,” he wrote.

Indonesia's match against Japan will be held Friday at 19:00pm. It was the fifth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification.

Japan currently leads the provisional standings with a score of ten, the result of three wins and one draw. Meanwhile, Indonesia is still stuck in fifth place with a score of three, three draws and once lost.

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