SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Indonesian national football team has officially arrived in Sydney, Australia, as they prepare for a pivotal match in the 2026 World Cup qualification process. The team, led by head coach Patrick Kluivert, includes prominent players such as Rizky Ridho and Muhammad Ferarri from Persija, and Ricky Kambuaya from Dewa United, among others.

The squad, which consists of eight players competing in Liga 1 Indonesia, landed in Sydney after a flight from Jakarta on Sunday night. They joined their teammates who had arrived earlier, culminating in a total of 17 players ready for the upcoming challenges.

In addition to the players, the coaching staff, comprising Denny Landzaat, Alex Pastoor, and Gerald Vanenburg, along with various off-field coaches, joined the delegation, emphasizing the extensive support network surrounding the team.

Training and Match Preparation

Upon their arrival, the team wasted no time and is scheduled to conduct their first training session in Sydney. This training is crucial as they gear up to face the Australian national team on March 20, 2025, at 16:10 WIB. The match marks their seventh encounter in the third round of the World Cup qualifying tournament.

The Indonesian team is focused on improving their standings, currently sitting in third place in Group C with six points from six matches. They are just one point behind Australia, who is positioned second, and ten points behind Japan, the group leader.

Injury and Suspension Updates

However, the Indonesian team will face some challenges as they prepare for the match. Three players have been ruled out due to injuries and suspensions. Notably, Egy Maulana Vikri will not participate due to injury, while Hubner and Oratmangoen are sidelined because of accumulated yellow cards. This loss adds to the pressure on the remaining squad members to step up in their crucial match against Australia.

Qualification Situation

As the qualification rounds progress, the competition intensifies, with the top two teams from each group securing their spots in the World Cup 2026. Teams finishing in third and fourth will vie for the last remaining spots in the next round of qualifiers, while the bottom two teams will be eliminated.

As the Indonesian national team embarks on this significant journey in Sydney, fans hope for a strong performance that could help them inch closer to their dream of qualifying for the World Cup. The support from fans and the nation remains crucial, as the players represent Indonesia on this international stage.