Indonesian National Team Factors Lose To Saudi Arabia, Observer: Game Plan Doesn't Run Smoothly

JAKARTA - Indonesian football observer Mohamad Kusnaeni or familiarly called Bung Kus, assessed the main factor in the defeat of the Indonesian national team from Saudi Arabia because the game plan did not go well.

At the 2026 World Cup Qualification Fourth Round meeting, Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Garuda Squad lost 2-3 to Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah. In fact, at the beginning of the game, the Indonesian national team managed to take the lead thanks to Kevin Diks' penalty (11').

"The game plan made by the coach is also in accordance with the predictions of many people. Unfortunately, this game plan cannot be executed properly," said Mohamad Kusnaeni as quoted by Antara on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Although he managed to excel at the beginning of the match, Bung Kus regretted the movement of the Garuda Squad which made many mistakes on its own that led to defeat.

According to him, Indonesian national team players began to make mistakes for mistakes that ultimately benefited the opponent.

Losing in the midfield makes the attack scenario not go well because the ball is forced to continue to widen so that it is easy to anticipate and reduce.

"The weakness of the line is making the balance of the game unequal," he said.

According to Bung Kus, Kluivers did not respond quickly to the situation on the ground, as seen from the monotone and lack of game creativity when their troops tried to play more out after trailing 1-2.

The change in players by the Dutch coach was also slow so that Indonesia finally conceded again at the beginning of the second half.

After the inclusion of Ole Romeny and Thom Haye, the balance of the game was further formed and made control of the midfield begin to be captured and attacks become more targeted.

"Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to chase additional goals and turn things around. Moreover, some of our chances also failed to become goals," he said.

Nevertheless, Kusnaeni said that the defeat of the match against Saudi Arabia should be a valuable lesson for the ranks of coaches.

In the next match against Iraq, the determination of the line-up must be more observant and respond more quickly to the situation on the ground when the game plan is not going well.