Indonesian team receives shock before Bahrain match: Wrong choice of coach Kluivert?

"Bad news for the Indonesian team," the Dutch press said, after Twente confirmed that 23-year-old defender Mees Hilgers had returned to the team for treatment due to injury.

Mees Hilgers played in the starting lineup of the Indonesian team's 1-5 loss to Australia on March 20, in the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. He had to leave the field in the 60th minute due to a groin injury.

Indonesia team receives shock when missing excellent defender Mees Hilgers

Photo: Reuters

Instead of Mees Hilgers, coach Kluivert sent Sandy Walsh in. But just 6 minutes later, the Dutch coach replaced Sandy Walsh with player Rizky Ridho.

"This shows the confusion and personnel problems in the Indonesian national team's defense. Mees Hilgers has just been naturalized and played for the Indonesian national team for 3 matches, but quickly became an indispensable player. He often plays as a right-sided center-back with Jay Idzes and Calvin Verdonk. When this player is absent, it will be a difficult problem for coach Kluivert," reported the Dutch newspaper Voetbal Primeur .

According to CNN Indonesia : "Coach Kluivert still has a few options to replace Mees Hilgers, such as Jordi Amat and Rizky Ridho. In addition, Calvin Verdonk and Kevin Diks can also play as defenders in the center of the defense. However, this patchwork cannot reassure Indonesian fans. What happened in the loss to Australia with consecutive goals conceded from defensive errors has raised widespread anxiety. Especially now everything has been confirmed when Mees Hilgers officially left the team to return to the club".

Coach Kluivert was criticized for being just a puppet in the Indonesian team, in contrast to the passionate leadership of coach Shin Tae-yong.

Indonesian press expressed dissatisfaction after witnessing coach Kluivert often sitting silently on the coaching bench, while assistant coach Alex Pastoor was the one directing the Indonesian players in the match against Australia on March 20.

Coach Kluivert criticized for being a puppet in the Indonesian team

Photo: Reuters

"Is it true that coach Kluivert is just a puppet in the Indonesian team? There is evidence, but it cannot be used to conclude. A day after the Indonesian team lost 1-5 to Australia, a video clip recording Kluivert just sitting silently was spread.

He sat there, motionless while the game was paused. Surprisingly, Alex Pastoor, the assistant coach, was busy talking to the players; giving instructions. This made Indonesian fans unhappy," CNN Indonesia reported.

"Many comparisons have been made between Kluivert and his predecessor Shin Tae-yong after these images were released. Shin Tae-yong attracts Indonesian fans because of his enthusiasm. He is willing to stand on the field for 90 minutes. He directs and guides the players as soon as he has the opportunity to talk to them. But, perhaps Kluivert has his own style. He has his own philosophy and hopes to help the Indonesian team win against Bahrain. This is almost a mandatory order," CNN Indonesia expressed.

Also according to CNN Indonesia : "After a disastrous debut match when losing too heavily to the Australian team. Whatever coach Kluivert does next will be scrutinized. Only a victory can reduce the current pressure. If not, this coach will face a huge pressure to be fired, when Indonesian fans are gradually losing patience with him."