Good News, Maarten Paes Can Practice Ahead Of The Indonesian National Team Vs Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - Maarten Paes came with good news for the Indonesian national team ahead of the match against Saudi Arabia in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification. His condition began to recover after being sidelined for a long time due to injury.

Maarten Paes is one of the goalkeepers who is the mainstay of the Indonesian national team. He was even on the call list by Patrick Kluivert to face a tough match against Saudi Arabia and Iraq on October 9 and 12, 2025, early morning WIB.

However, the condition of goalkeeper FC Dallas had raised doubts because since August 2025 he has suffered an injury to the top of his leg which made him absent from defending the Indonesian club and national team.

Regarding the latest news from Maarten Paes, now his condition is better. The manager of the Indonesian national team, Sumardji, even confirmed the news regarding the development of the goalkeeper.

"If Maarten, his condition can really participate in training in the team. So, they will still be (Maarten Paes and Emil Audero) departing, on October 5, 2025 from their respective clubs, from their respective countries," said Sumardji at Soekarno-Hatta Airport before leaving for Saudi Arabia quoted Friday, October 3, 2025.

With Paes' return, Indonesia's goal has an additional sense of security. His presence will complement the option of the Indonesian national team goalkeeper, which has now increased by four, including Emil Audero, Ernando Ari Sutaryadi, and Nadeo Argawinata who have just been summoned.