Maarten Paes Has Participated In The Joint Training Of The Indonesian National Team Even Though He Did Not Go Down Against Saudi Arabia

Maarten Paes has trained with the Indonesian national team in Saudi Arabia (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team has been holding exercises in Saudi Arabia since Monday, September 2, 2024. The exercise is a final preparation against Saudi Arabia in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

There were 26 players who were called by Shin Tae-yong to strengthen the Garuda Squad. One of them is Maarten Paes.

The Dallas FC goalkeeper has even participated in the training of the Indonesian national team even though he cannot be fielded against Saudi Arabia. As is known, Paes has not been registered for the match against The Green Falcon.

The delay in registering Maarten Paes cannot be separated from the case faced by the goalkeeper. He has won the status of an Indonesian citizen at the end of April 2024.

However, his work in the Indonesian national team was delayed because FIFA rejected the transfer of federations from the Netherlands (KNVB) to Indonesia (PSSI).

As a result, the 26-year-old goalkeeper and PSSI had to file an appeal and go through a trial at the Sports Arbitration Court (CAS).

Luckily, the trial took place quickly and Maarten Paes was decided to be able to defend the Garuda Squad.

Although not registered in the match against Saudi Arabia, Maarten Paes continued to take part in training to maintain fitness. Moreover, there is a possibility that he will participate in the second match of the 2026 World Cup Qualification against Australia on September 10, 2024.

Shin Tae-yong said that Marteen Paes' current condition was quite good. However, he has not participated in the main training with the team.

"Maarten (Paes) is not in bad condition. Of course he is tired because he has been on the trip for a long time. I still can't check Paes' condition because he didn't enter the main training session," said Shin Tae-yong.

Just like abroad players or those who have careers outside the country, Paes also immediately followed the Indonesian national team to Saudi Arabia from the United States.

Abroad players are indeed given the freedom not to gather in Jakarta first like players from the domestic league.

You see, most of them must appear or be in the team in the last match of their respective clubs.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian national team will face Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, in the inaugural match of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round.

After that, they returned to Indonesia to prepare to appear against Australia at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on September 10, 2024.

In the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification, the Indonesian national team joined Group C with Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, Japan, and Bahrain.