Indonesia was unfairly treated before the crucial match for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, Coach Kluivert was upset.

The Indonesian team is about to enter a crucial match for the chance to win a ticket to the 2026 World Cup against host Saudi Arabia at 0:15 on October 9. Coach Kluivert is very upset with Garuda's many disadvantages.

Was the Indonesian team treated unfairly by the host nation, Saudi Arabia?

According to CNN Indonesia, Garuda (the nickname of the Indonesian national team) has the most disadvantageous travel arrangements among the three teams in Group B of the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region. Coach Kluivert's team has to spend a lot of time traveling between the hotel and the training ground due to the long distance, as well as the distance to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, which is 40 km.

Coach Kluivert expressed his frustration at the numerous disadvantages the Indonesian team faced before the crucial match against host nation Saudi Arabia.

Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, the Iraqi team, staying at the Marriott hotel, was only 21 km from the King Abdullah Sports City stadium, and the host team, Saudi Arabia, staying at the Shangri-La hotel, was only about 20 km from the stadium.

Traveling further than other teams, with only 3 days (72 hours) between matches, including time immediately after the match, recovery, and returning to play, put immense pressure on the Indonesian team to race against time.

Indonesian media criticized the host country's organizers, Saudi Arabia, for allegedly unfairly treating the Indonesian team and deliberately doing so to exhaust their opponents, putting them at a disadvantage right before the crucial opening match of the fourth qualifying round.

However, according to the Saudi Arabian newspaper Arriyadiyah , the Saudi Football Federation (SAFF) had suggested that the Indonesian team stay at a more convenient hotel, but they declined and chose the Park Hyatt after a firsthand inspection, which is located 40 km from the King Abdullah Sports City stadium in Jeddah.

Despite the unfavorable conditions, coach Kluivert, though frustrated, stated: "We were fully prepared for this match (against Saudi Arabia), and I will not make any excuses, whatever the reason. We had some players arriving late from Europe, but that's not a problem. We treat this match like a final, and we will do everything to achieve the best possible result. We also have to put aside any anxiety or disadvantage and believe that we will play as strongly as possible."

The Indonesian national team is the only representative from Southeast Asia in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region.

Photo: Reuters

Coach Kluivert also expressed his bewilderment that the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) refused to replace the Kuwaiti referee, Ahmed Al-Ali, who was in charge of the match.

He stated: "We were very surprised by the appointment of this Kuwaiti referee to officiate the match, and we were also quite surprised by their (AFC's) decision not to change it despite a reasonable proposal from the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI). However, our focus remains on the game on the field. We are not afraid of this match at all. I have complete confidence in my team. We are used to playing in such an unfavorable atmosphere."

Regarding the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Emil Audero, coach Kluivert has faith in Maarten Paes as a replacement, believing he can help the Indonesian national team defend their goal effectively. Maarten Paes was also the starting goalkeeper in Indonesia's 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City on September 5, 2024, in their opening match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

In the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region, with two groups of three teams each, playing a single round-robin format, only the top team in each group will qualify for the finals in the USA, Mexico, and Canada next summer. The second-placed teams will have a chance to compete in the play-offs and intercontinental play-offs. The last-placed team will be eliminated.

According to data statistics firm Opta, the Indonesian national team has the lowest chance among the six Asian teams participating in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Based on results, performance, and player displays, the Indonesian team is estimated to have only a 7% chance. The highest chance is held by Saudi Arabia at 62%, followed by Qatar (the host nation in Group A) at 48%, Iraq at 31%, while the UAE has 29% and Oman has 23% (both teams in Group A along with Qatar).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/indonesia-bi-xu-ep-truc-tran-song-con-tranh-ve-world-cup-2026-hlv-kluivert-buc-xuc-1852510080846183.htm