PSSI President Speaks Out About Indonesia Team's Internal Divisiveness: Coach Kluivert in Danger

"I came to check on the training process of the Indonesian team and also to meet the players and officials. I emphasized to them that there must be no division and that they must play as a unified team, must be truly united," Mr. Erick Thohir wrote a message on his personal Instagram account on March 24.

Coach Kluivert is at risk of being fired if the Indonesian team loses again.

Photo: Reuters

Previously, the only native player of the Indonesian team named in the starting lineup for the 1-5 loss to Australia on March 20, in the 7th round of the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, midfielder Marselino Ferdinan expressed: "The current team is having difficulty getting along with each other. We have only had a few days of training, so we still cannot integrate."

This partly reflects the current situation of the Indonesian national team, with the majority of naturalized players of Dutch origin dominating, causing the number of native players to become increasingly scarce and out of place even in the heart of the team that has been very familiar to them for a long time.

Since then, the Indonesian press has speculated that there has been a split within the team. The situation has become more tense after the loss to Australia. In particular, the role of coach Kluivert has been closely scrutinized and immediately compared to his predecessor Shin Tae-yong.

"We know the pressure is really great, but I believe the team can unite to overcome difficulties and all the players will devote themselves to Indonesian football," Mr. Erick Thohir emphasized.

Coach Kluivert is at risk of being fired if the Indonesian team loses again.

According to CNN Indonesia , this is entirely possible. The Indonesian team must beat the Bahrain team in the decisive match at 8:45 p.m. on March 25 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

"Only a victory can help the team maintain hope in the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers and help Indonesian fans calm down. Otherwise, PSSI will be in a difficult situation for its ambitious project, with the entire Dutch team from technical director, coach Kluivert, coaching staff, to the majority of naturalized players," CNN Indonesia affirmed.

Will the Indonesian team (red shirt) overcome difficulties to beat the Bahrain team?

Photo: Reuters

Under great pressure, Coach Kluivert spoke up: "The Indonesian team will certainly have many changes in the match against Bahrain. But the most important thing right now is that we need to focus on recovering the players' physical strength and everything around the team. I know, the upcoming match is very important. We will try to win. We have to make an effort right now."

The first leg between the two teams in October 2024 ended in a controversial 2-2 draw. The Indonesian team under coach Shin Tae-yong led 2-1 until only 3 minutes of injury time. However, Omani referee Ahmed Al-Kaf added nearly 10 minutes of injury time, allowing Bahrain to equalize 2-2 in the 90+9 minute.

The rematch between Indonesia and Bahrain in the current context is becoming more heated. In Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia, Indonesia is temporarily ranked 4th with 6 points, equal to Bahrain in points and goal difference (-7), but ranked higher thanks to the additional index of scoring more goals (7 compared to 5). Both teams are determined to compete for 3rd and 4th place in the group to enter the 4th qualifying round.

In the 3rd qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, the top 2 teams from the 3 groups will win 6 official spots to the 2026 World Cup finals. The 3rd and 4th ranked teams will enter the 4th qualifying round to compete for the remaining 2 official spots, and the Intercontinental play-off spot. The 2 bottom ranked teams will be eliminated.

The Japanese team is the first team in Asia and the world to win a ticket to the finals, after the three co-host teams USA, Mexico and Canada.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-tich-pssi-len-tieng-ve-noi-tinh-doi-indonesia-bi-chia-re-hlv-kluivert-lam-nguy-185250324094504862.htm