Indonesia's national football team faced a significant setback in their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign after suffering a staggering 1-5 defeat to Australia on March 20, 2025. Following the match, head coach Patrick Kluivert expressed his disappointment with the outcome but called on his players to remain focused and work harder for future matches.
Kluivert's assessment came after a match where Indonesia struggled severely against an experienced Australian side. Despite the promising start—which included an opportunity for an early lead with a penalty kick—things quickly went downhill for the Garuda. The Indonesian team earned a penalty in the 7th minute, only for Kevin Dicks to miss the opportunity, striking the crossbar instead. Reflecting on this moment, Kluivert noted, "If you score the penalty, the game may have been different. I think we fought like lions; we never gave up, but I am very disappointed with the result—not just for us but for everyone who supports us."
The defeat kept Indonesia in fourth place in Group C with a total of 6 points from 7 matches, trailing behind Australia, who has now secured 10 points. While the loss continues to put Indonesia's prospects for qualifying for the World Cup at risk, Kluivert emphasized the importance of improving their gameplay. "We have to work harder to improve our tactics and style of play," he stated, underlining the need for a strong collective effort in upcoming games.
Meanwhile, former Indonesian coach Shin Tae-yong provided insights into the challenges the team faced during the match, citing two pivotal factors that contributed to the dismal performance. He highlighted the failure of Indonesia's attacking tactics to pressure Australia's defense effectively. Moreover, he pointed out the inadequacy of practice time, suggesting that a short preparation period under Kluivert's regime was detrimental to player readiness. According to Shin, "Tactics to pressure the opponent's defense didn't work, and there was a lack of time for the players to train together and learn new techniques with the new coach and newcomers to the team."
This lack of proper preparation starkly contrasts with shin's previous team's conditions. During his tenure, the team often had longer training schedules, leading to better preparedness and cohesion on the field. As the Indonesian team looks towards their next match against Bahrain on March 25, 2025, they must quickly adapt and recover from this loss, incorporating the lessons learned from the Australian clash.
Despite the grim situation following their fifth group match, Kluivert remains hopeful about their prospects, believing that the upcoming match presents a crucial opportunity to regain momentum. "We will need to work hard to deliver positive results against Bahrain," he assured, while reiterating the importance of adjusting players' attitudes and restoring their spirits after such a challenging defeat.
As they gather for training ahead of the Bahrain match, the Indonesian squad is under pressure to perform better given the stakes involved. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Kluivert can bring about the necessary changes and whether the players can execute his directives effectively on the pitch.
With only three matches remaining in the qualifying phase, Indonesia—known as "Ihena"—must embrace this as a critical moment to elevate their performance. The upcoming duel with Bahrain will undoubtedly be seen as a litmus test for Kluivert's strategies and the team's resilience in facing adversity. There's much at stake, and the Indonesian national team must rise to the occasion to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Every match from here on out is vital, and it's clear that the path to the 2026 World Cup will require a collective effort from players, coaching staff, and supporters alike as they work toward the goal of returning to football's biggest stage.
