Bahrain Coach Sindir Many Naturalizations Of The Indonesian National Team: Like Fighting The Netherlands

Bahrain coach, Dragan Talajic, said the opponents of the Indonesian national team were against the Dutch (Instagram/@bahraint).

JAKARTA - The coach of the Bahrain national team, Dragan Talajic, made a satire to the Indonesian national team, which was heavily strengthened by naturalization players. According to Talajic, his team actually fought the Dutch National Team (Timnas).

In the continued match of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualification, Bahrain will face the Indonesian national team at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, on March 25, 2025.

Prior to that, the two teams will play another match. Bahrain will be hosted by Japan, while the Indonesian national team travels to Australia on March 20, 2025.

Preparing for the match agenda, Bahrain has even held preparations to play the match against Japan and Indonesia. Dragan Talajic has also begun to learn the strength of the opponent.

Talajic also studied the Indonesian national team which had announced 27 names of players. However, according to the coach, the match against the Garuda Squad actually felt like fighting the Dutch because of the large number of naturalized players from the Windmill Country.

"Against Indonesia, every time on the list there are two or three new players," said Dragan Talajic as quoted from the GDN Online page on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

"Now there is one new goalkeeper from Serie A and two others coming from the Dutch League. It's like we're going to play against the Dutch," he said.

This statement was made by Talajic who saw the current situation of the Indonesian national team. Patrick Kluivert's team also just received additional new ammunition after the naturalization process for Emil Audero, Joey Pelupessy, and Dean James was completed.

Even so, Talajic admitted that he did not tremble to see the Indonesian national team squad. Bahrain will try to win all matches.

"However, we are ready for anything. We will show our capabilities. We are not afraid," he said.

The Indonesian national team is currently in third place in Group C standings with a collection of six points from six matches that have been played. The Garuda squad only excels in goal difference from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China below it.