SEAToday.com, Jakarta-Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-yong said that jet lag is the main challenge for his team now. This was after they arrived in Bahrain, Sunday (10/6).

The Garuda team is in Bahrain to play a third round 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers match against the host on Thursday (10/10).

Some members of the national team who play in Liga 1 left Indonesia for Bahrain on Saturday (5/10) evening. Meanwhile, players who play in foreign leagues flew directly to Bahrain from their respective countries.

“Because it was from last night (traveling by air), it was a long journey to get here, so today’s focus is on recovery, and tomorrow we will try to conduct the tactical training,” said Coach Shin, as quoted from an audio statement received by the reporter, reported by Antara.

The South Korean coach continued, “The weather is not a problem because it’s 6 o’clock, we practice at 6, (the air is) cool, and the weather is not a problem for adaptation. The only problem is jet lag.”

From the ranks of players working abroad, there are names like Ivar Jenner, Thom Haye, Marselino Ferdinan, and Sandy Walsh. Others like Mees Hilgers, Eliano Reijnders, and Jay Idzes are still with their respective clubs.

Shin then mentioned that in general, the condition of the players who have joined them in Bahrain is quite good. “Today or tomorrow everyone will be able to gather, apart from Marteen (Paes) who will be late,” he said.

After playing the match against Bahrain, Shin Tae-yong’s team will play in an away match in China on October 15, 2024.

The Indonesian national team currently sits fourth in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers with two points. Indonesia is four points behind leader Japan and two points behind second-placed Saudi Arabia.

Only the top two teams automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams will play the fourth round of qualification for the remaining spots.

Writer: Vicky Octarina Arsandi