2026 World Cup Qualification, Thom Haye Optimistic To Win Against Australia

JAKARTA - The mainstay midfielder of the Indonesian national team, Thom Haye, looks at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with optimism. Will face the World Cup subscription team, Australia, he is optimistic that he can get full points.

Although the ranking of the two teams in FIFA rankings is far adrift, the Almere City player does not want the Garuda team to only aim for a draw in Sydney on Thursday, March 20.

We play every game to win. We will not go to Australia to aim for a draw. We want to win," Haye said on his personal YouTube, citing ANTARA Sunday.

Not only against Australia, Thom also targeted three points against Bahrain in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 25. This means that Thom is targeting the two matches with six points to ensure Indonesia's place in the 2026 World Cup in person.

"At home against Bahrain, we want to win. So, how many points can be achieved? The goal is six. Always. Every game you want to win," he added.

The versatile midfielder uploaded the latest photo when he was leaving from Schippol Airport, the Netherlands, Saturday, March 15 evening. Thom, nicknamed the professor, had to travel by air for more than 26 hours to arrive in Sydney on Sunday evening.

Thom flew to Sydney after a final game with his club Almere City. The 30-year-old closed his game with Almere before entering the international break by playing a full 90-minute game on Saturday WIB against the NAC which ended in a 1-1 draw.

In addition to him who has left for Sydney, PSSI also reported Justin Hubner, Sandy Walsh, and Rafael Struick including the first batch of Indonesian players playing overseas heading to Sydney.

Other players playing abroad will go straight to Sydney after they complete their obligations to defend their respective clubs, some departing on Sunday 16 March and Monday 17 March

Meanwhile, Indonesian national team players playing domestically in the Indonesian League 1, will leave for Sydney on Sunday night.