STY's Trusted Sananta Reaction Against Saudi Arabia

Indonesian national team sticker Ramadhan Sananta (photo: DOK. INSTAGRAM @m.ramadhansn)

JAKARTA Ramadhan Sananta is grateful to receive a call from Shin Tae Yong to join the squad of the Indonesian national team against Saudi Arabia. The player who defended Persis Solo was one of 26 names on the list for the first match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian zone.

Sananta said that the trust given by the South Korean tactician would be a new challenge for her. "It's a tough competition. I have to keep working for the future," said the player after playing the match against Persija Jakarta on Saturday, August 24 evening WIB.

The All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) last week fulfilled Shin Tae Yong's wish by bringing in a special striker assistant coach in the Indonesian national team. The name appointed is Yeom Ki Hun. Ki Hun's presence is expected to cover the weakest point from the Garuda squad for important matches from the third round of qualifiers.

"It's very helpful because I think it's also important because the arrival of striker coaches in the national team will really help me and other strikers," Sananta said in response to Ki Hun's presence.

Sananta was given the confidence to play from the first minute of the match against Persija. He did not score in that match and only changed when the normal time of the match was ten minutes remaining. In the match which was witnessed directly by Shin Tae Yong, Sananta and his colleagues failed to bring home points due to losing 1-2.

"I don't see STY on top of [the stands], but I've given my best. This is football. We [players] give our best but the situation is difficult and we lose," said Sananta.

Indonesia is scheduled to play their first away match of Group C against Saudi Arabia on Friday, September 6 at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium. Apart from Saudi Arabia, Indonesia will also be challenged by Australia, Japan, Bahrain, and China. Indonesia will play ten games in addition to this third round.

The two best teams from each group will automatically qualify for the World Cup. Meanwhile, the third and fourth positions will continue their journey to the fourth round.