Two Absen Defenders Defend The Indonesian National Team In The First Match Of The Third Round Of The 2026 World Cup Qualification

JAKARTA - The passing of the Indonesian national team to the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification is clearly a proud thing. However, behind that happy moment, there is an unpleasant situation that must be faced by the Garuda Squad.

Shin Tae-yong will lose two players in the inaugural round of the third qualifying round, namely Jordi Amat and Justin Hubner.

The absence of the two defenders in September 2024 was not without reason. Jordi and Hubner were forced to miss the card penalty.

Jordi Amat received a red card against Iraq on June 6, 2024 at the Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) Main Stadium, Jakarta. The incident forced the former Swansea City player to undergo a two-match ban.

One match Jordi had missed in his sentence was when the Indonesian national team beat the Philippines 2-0.

Jordi Amat will face the remaining ban in the inaugural match of the third round if his name is called again from Shin Tae-yong.

This also applies to Justin Hubner. The difference is, Justin Hubner only underwent a one-match ban due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

Justin Hubner got his first yellow card when the Indonesian national team hosted Vietnam on March 21, 2024, where the Garuda squad won 1-0.

Meanwhile, Justin Hubner's second yellow card was received against the Philippines on June 11, 2024. That way, the Cerezo Osaka loan player will miss the inaugural round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

Even without Jordi Amat and Justin Hubner, Shin Tae-yong can still make optimal use of the squad.

You see, the South Korean coach has deep ammunition in the back sector. There are still reliable Jay Idzes and Rizky Ridho. Then, empowering Sandy Walsh in the heart of defense can also be done.