JAKARTA - Indonesian national team defender Kevin Diks confirmed his team's readiness ahead of facing Bulgaria in the 2026 FIFA Series final which will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, Monday, March 30, 2026.
Diks called this match a big test for the Garuda Squad to prove their quality at the international level.
Previously, the Indonesian National Team advanced to the final after a convincing 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis on Friday, March 27, 2026.
On the other hand, Bulgaria came with high confidence after recording a landslide victory 10-2 over the Solomon Islands.
Facing opponents from Europe, Diks assessed that the match would not be easy. However, he remained optimistic that the Indonesian National Team was able to give the maximum resistance, especially with the full support of the host public.
"I think it will be a difficult match. They are a very good team, tactically strong, and certainly have good individual quality. Even though some of their main players are not playing, they still have a high quality."
"However, in my opinion, this is also the best challenge, to be able to win against a team from Europe. In football, anything can happen."
"We are playing at home. I think it's very difficult to beat us at home. This is the time to show that this is a big game, the first big challenge, and we are really ready," said Diks after training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Sunday, March 29, 2026.
In addition, the player who is currently strengthening Borussia Monchengladbach also highlighted the team's rapid adaptation process under the direction of new coach, John Herdman. According to him, the communication and preparation that was carried out from the beginning became the main key.
"In my opinion, we adapted very quickly. What he wants is very clear. He didn't start this week, since he was appointed as a coach, he has contacted many players, maybe more than 40 players."
"It shows what kind of person he is and how he prepares us for the next period. Even before getting together, he already showed a lot of things he expected from us."
"Preparation is the key to achieving goals. In my opinion, he did it very well. All of that is very positive," he said.
Diks also assessed the big win in the previous match as an important capital to face the final. He even called the result a historic moment that he hoped would continue when facing Bulgaria.
"It's a good result, especially against a team from Concacaf. I heard this is the first time we've won against a team from that region, so it's history. Hopefully against Bulgaria it can be history again," he said.
Furthermore, Diks revealed the difference in the current coach's approach, which he considered more detailed and strong tactically, making the team appear more solid on the field.
"Every coach is different. I think coaches now are very detailed and tactically strong. He demands a lot from us, but also knows what he expects from each player."
"We became more solid because he put each player according to his strength. That's very important," he said.
Meanwhile, regarding his role which appears flexible on the field, Diks emphasized his readiness to carry out the coach's instructions for the benefit of the team.
"I'm a dynamic player. I just do what the coach asks. Whether I play behind, in the middle, or on the wing, it doesn't matter. I always try to give my best for the team and the country," he said.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
