Indonesian National Team Beaten By Japan, Erick Thohir Apologizes

JAKARTA Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, apologized after the Indonesian national team was beaten by Japan.

The Garuda squad was forced to swallow the bitter pill in front of the visitors with a landslide score of 0-4 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) Senayan, Jakarta, on Friday, November 15, 2024, WIB night.

The four Japanese winning goals were each scored by Justin Hubner (suicide goals), Takumi Minamino, Hidemasa Morita, and Yukinari Sugawara.

Erick said that he was responsible for the achievements achieved by PSSI to this day and will conduct another evaluation with the coaching team.

"Of course today I apologize if I disappoint the results. I know the public's euphoria, but again I beg you this is not over yet," said Erick after the match.

This crushing defeat to the Blue Samurai made Indonesia stay in the position of caretaker of the Group C standings for the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone.

Erick said that Indonesia's target remains to finish in third or fourth place in the group's final standings so that the opportunity to reach the 2026 World Cup will remain open.

"We still have five more matches. We are targeting the third or fourth positions. We are trying to maximize it, but again this is not from the player or coach. This is a burden from me," said Erick.

Indonesia will next host Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, November 19, 2024. After that, Shin Tae-yong's squad will successively fight Australia, Bahrain, China, and Japan.

The defeat against Japan made it more difficult for the Indonesian national team to finish in the first and second positions as a condition for getting a ticket to the 2026 World Cup from the Third Round.

However, Indonesia's chances of advancing to the Fourth Round are still open. With conditions, Jay Idzes and his friends must finish in third or fourth place.