Kluiver Gives Reasons Not To Call Asnawi Mangkualam To The Indonesian National Team

Asnawi Mangkualam Bahar was not included in the Indonesian national team against Australia (Instagram/@asnawi_bhr).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Patrick Kluivert, responded to his decision not to summon Asnawi Mangkualam into the team ahead of Australia's opponents.

The Indonesian national team will undergo the seventh matchday of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualification by visiting Australian headquarters. Kluivert called 29 names without Asnawi for the match.

Regarding Asnawi who was not included, Kluiver was reluctant to comment much. He admitted that he was happy with his current choice of players.

"No, no (there are special reasons). There are a lot of players who are not in the squad, but the most important thing is tomorrow's game, not about players who are not in the squad."

"I am pleased with my choice in the squad and look forward to tomorrow's game," Kluiver said in a press conference session in Sydney on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.

Asnawi is a player who is a regular for the Indonesian national team during the Shin Tae-yong era. However, the Port FC player was absent from the call list as soon as the coach's position turned to Kluiver.

By not including Asnawi, right-back Kluivert prefers to call Kevin Diks, Sandy Walsh, and Eliano Reijnders. These three players will compete for one place.

Meanwhile, regarding the player's adaptation process with his tactics, Kluivert ensures that everything goes well. Especially during training the coach admits that all players carry out the directions according to plan.

"Yesterday's training was fantastic. I said that because the players gave me good expectations. The players were very quick to adjust our training program," he said.