Indonesia receives bad news before match against Vietnam in 2026 World Cup qualifiers

The national and U.23 team's mainstay goalkeeper Ernando Ari was injured while playing for Persebaya Surabaya against Bhayangkara FC on February 4 in the Indonesian top flight. Accordingly, when the match was about to end, Ernando Ari was replaced by reserve goalkeeper Andika Ramadhani.

Goalkeeper Ernando Ari (right) received great trust from coach Shin Tae-yong

According to Indonesian media, Ernando Ari was substituted due to a shoulder injury in this match. After the match, coach Paul Munster of Persebaya Surabaya Club could not determine the condition of the former U.16 Indonesia goalkeeper.

"I cannot explain Ernando Ari's injury. The doctor is still examining the extent of the injury, and the team will come up with the best treatment so that he can return to training and competition soon," coach Paul Munster said in a post-match press conference quoted by Okezone .

According to the official website of Persebaya Surabaya Club on February 5, Ernando Ari is still being monitored by the team's medical team. And fans hope that the 21-year-old goalkeeper will recover quickly. Because the 1.79 m tall goalkeeper is needed not only for Persebaya Surabaya but also for the U.23 and the Indonesian national team.

Goalkeeper Ernando Ari had a good performance at the 2023 Asian Cup, especially the victory over Vietnam.

If the worst happens to Ernando Ari, the Indonesian team will suffer a significant loss because this young goalkeeper has just played quite well at the 2023 Asian Cup and has received the trust of coach Shin Tae-yong. In the national team, if Ernando Ari is not available, coach Shin Tae-yong will likely have to rely on naturalized goalkeeper Maarten Paes in the two matches between Indonesia and Vietnam in Group F of the second qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia next March. Meanwhile, in the U.23 team, Cyrus Margono is expected to be ready for the 2024 AFC U-23 Championship (taking place from April 15 to May 3) to prevent Ernando Ari from recovering in time.

The presence of a top goalkeeper like Ernando Ari is essential to complete the two goals of the national team and the U.23 Indonesia team in the near future. That is to enter the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia and advance to the quarterfinals of the 2024 U.23 Asian Championship.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/indonesia-nhan-tin-du-truoc-tran-gap-doi-tuyen-viet-nam-o-vong-loai-world-cup-2026-185240205202618542.htm