The Indonesian National Team Lost 2-3 To Saudi Arabia, Kluiver Calls It Unfair

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Patrick Kluivert, commented on the defeat of 2-3 of his team to Saudi Arabia in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification. Kluiver said the result of the match on Thursday, October 9, 2025, early morning WIB, was unfair to the Garuda Squad.

"This is football. We started the game very well, but we conceded easy goals."

"Nevertheless, we played with fighting spirit. This result is unfair," Kluiver said in a statement after the match, quoted on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

The Dutch coach also considered the Indonesian national team unlucky when they were defeated by Saudi Arabia. Moreover, the Red-White Team had taken the lead early in the first half through Kevin Diks' penalty.

However, Kluivert hopes that Indonesian players will soon forget the defeat to Saudi Arabia. The reason is, the Garuda Team must defeat Iraq in the second match, Saturday, October 11, 2025, early in the morning WIB, in order to maintain the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

"This result is bad for us. We started the game well, but luck doesn't side with us. We have to focus on Saturday's game," said the coach.

The defeat to Saudi Arabia made Indonesia obliged to defeat Iraq in the second match. Victory over Iraq can at least keep the Garuda Squad's chances of going to the 2026 World Cup still under control even though it is getting smaller.

However, to maintain the opportunity, the condition is quite difficult because the Indonesian national team must win against Iraq by a minimum difference of two goals. It also has to depend on other matches in Iraq vs Saudi Arabia.

The most beautiful scenario for the Indonesian national team after defeating Iraq by two goals is that Iraq managed to beat Saudi Arabia by one goal difference.

That way, the three teams in Group B will collect the same points (three points) and the Indonesian national team will win the group because they are ahead of the goal difference.

If Iraq is able to beat Saudi Arabia by more than one goal, then the calculation of the goal difference will be even more interesting. That's why the Indonesian national team is obliged to win as much as possible over Iraq.