October 10, 2025 | 06:10 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Indonesian national football team suffered a narrow 2–3 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers at King Abdullah City Stadium, Jeddah, early Thursday, October 9, 2026. Despite taking an early lead, the Garuda squad failed to maintain their advantage.
Football analyst Kesit Budi Handoyo said the loss stemmed partly from coach Patrick Kluivert’s flawed starting lineup and late tactical changes, which limited Indonesia’s chances of securing a historic win.
“There was actually hope for Indonesia to win,” Kesit told Tempo via a messaging app on Thursday. “We were able to compete well against Saudi Arabia, but Kluivert made mistakes in player selection and formation.”
Kluivert’s Selection Blunders
According to Kesit, several players failed to perform optimally from the start. He identified Yakob Sayuri, Mark Klok, and Beckham Putra Nugraha as key weaknesses on the right flank, saying the trio were inconsistent and contributed little to the team’s overall performance.
He particularly criticized Kluivert’s decision to deploy Yakob as a right-back, arguing that the Malut United player was played out of position.
“Yakob struggled defensively. He couldn’t handle Saudi Arabia’s attacks and even committed a costly foul that changed the course of the game,” Kesit said.
In the 36th minute, Yakob pulled the shirt of Feras Al-Buraikan inside the penalty area, conceding a penalty that allowed the hosts to take the lead. “He might have forgotten there was VAR,” Kesit remarked, noting that the incident could have been avoided with better positional discipline.
The right side of Indonesia’s defense subsequently became a target for the Green Falcons’ relentless attacks, as Yakob appeared to lose pace and positioning throughout the match.
Late Tactical Adjustments
Kesit also faulted Kluivert for his slow response in making substitutions. The Dutch coach only began changing his setup after Indonesia trailed 2–1.
Kluivert introduced Ole Romeny in the 64th minute to replace Ragnar Oratmangoen, followed by Elliano Reijnders and Thom Haye for Beckham Putra and Miliano Jonathans. Near the end of the game, Yance Sayuri and Sandy Walsh came on for Yakob and Dean James.
“The changes came too late,” Kesit said. “Players like Ole Romeny, Thom Haye, and Sandy Walsh could have made a bigger impact if brought on earlier.”
Despite the late response, the substitutions eventually improved Indonesia’s play. Ole’s presence pressured Saudi Arabia’s defense, leading to a foul that resulted in a penalty converted by Indonesia for their second goal. “That made us look better and more confident,” Kesit noted.
He added that Indonesia began to exploit the fatigue of Saudi players in the closing stages and created several promising chances, though time ran out before they could equalize.
Questioning the Starting Lineup
Kesit also expressed surprise that Kluivert did not start his best players in such a crucial match. “It’s surprising that he didn’t immediately field his strongest lineup,” he said.
According to Kesit’s pre-match prediction, Persib Bandung’s duo Mark Klok and Beckham Putra would not start due to form and fitness concerns, while Yakob was expected to play a more natural attacking role.
“Kluivert’s mistake was giving full trust too soon to Beckham and Mark in a high-stakes match,” he explained.
Kesit argued that Thom Haye, who had been rested in Persib’s previous AFC Champions League match, was in better condition and should have started instead.
“This was a clear error in formation and player selection by the coaching staff,” he concluded.
Editor’s Choice: Dutch FM Says Sorry to Indonesian Fans After Kluivert's Team Loses to Saudi Arabia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Live Broadcast Schedule: Indonesia vs India Friendly Match Today
6 jam lalu
A friendly match between the U-23 Indonesian national team and India is scheduled to take place in two matches on Friday, October 10, and Monday, October 13, 2025.
Dutch FM Says Sorry to Indonesian Fans After Kluivert's Team Loses to Saudi Arabia
1 hari lalu
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel apologized to Indonesian football fans following the defeat of the Indonesian national team under the guidance of Dutch coach Patrick Kluivert.
Football Analyst Reveals Why Indonesia's Game Plan Failed Against Saudi Arabia
1 hari lalu
Football analyst Mohamad Kusnaeni said Indonesia's game plan was ineffective in their 2-3 loss to Saudi Arabia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Saudi Coach Herve Renard Commends Victory over Indonesia at 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
1 hari lalu
Herve Renard evaluates Saudi Arabia's dominant display and their ability to create numerous goal-scoring opportunities against the Indonesian national team.
Captain Jay Idzes Admits Indonesia Lost Focus After Taking Lead Against Saudi Arabia
1 hari lalu
Captain of the Indonesian National Team, Jay Idzes, speaks about the reason for the defeat against Saudi Arabia. He believes that the chance to qualify for the 2026 World Cup is not over yet.
Patrick Kluivert Admits Indonesia Lost Momentum After Defeat to Saudi Arabia
1 hari lalu
The coach of Indonesian national team, Patrick Kluivert, continues to appreciate his players' efforts despite the Garuda team's loss to Saudi Arabia.
2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Indonesia Loses 2-3 to Saudi Arabia
1 hari lalu
Kevin Diks scored two goals for the Indonesian National Team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia to Face Iraq in Next Match on Sunday Morning
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian national team is at the bottom of Group B standings in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian zone after losing 2-3 against Saudi Arabia.
New Umrah Rules for All Types of Saudi Arabian Visas
1 hari lalu
Previously, Umrah pilgrims had to go through the official Hajj program or apply for a special Umrah visa.
Prabowo Sends Support to Garuda Squad in Video Call Before Saudi Arabia Match
1 hari lalu
Prabowo Subianto held a video call with the Indonesian national football team ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.
