Six Indonesian Players Face Cut as Patrick Kluivert Finalizes Squad for Crucial Clash Against Saudi Arabia
The Indonesian national team is gearing up for a tough opening match in Group B of the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sport City. Head coach Patrick Kluivert has called up 29 players, adjusting for the absence of Emil Audero due to injury. However, regulations only allow 23 names on the matchday squad list, forcing the Dutch manager to omit six players before kickoff—a challenging task given the fierce competition for places.
The goalkeeping department presents one of the toughest choices. Kluivert has selected Maarten Paes, Ernando Ari, Nadeo Argawinata, and Reza Arya, though only two or three can be included in the final squad. Paes is expected to start, with Ernando likely serving as backup, leaving Nadeo and Reza to fight for the remaining slot. The final decision will depend on their performance and physical readiness in the final training sessions.
Defensively, Kluivert faces an abundance of options, particularly at left-back, where Calvin Verdonk, Dean James, Shayne Pattynama, and Yance Sayuri are all vying for a place. Given the limited roster spots, at least one will have to be left out. The coach must balance flexibility and tactical needs, focusing on attributes such as stamina, speed, and defensive awareness to counter Saudi Arabia’s dynamic wingers.
In attack, the competition remains intense with several versatile players like Egy Maulana Vikri, Miliano Jonathans, Stefano Lilipaly, and Eliano Reijnders all capable of playing behind the striker. Meanwhile, striker Ole Romeny’s availability remains uncertain as he continues to recover from injury and has yet to feature in a competitive match this season. Kluivert is closely monitoring his condition before making the final call, aiming to field the strongest possible lineup for this crucial away fixture.
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