Qualification For The 2026 Pildun, PSSI For Airplane Rentals For The National Team Aw Way Against Bahrain-China

The Indonesian national team is training to face the 2026 World Cup qualifying match. (Instagram @shintaeyong777)

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said he would charter or charter an airplane when the Indonesian national team played two away matches for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asia Group C zone against Bahrain and China.

Indonesia will visit Bahrain at the Bahrain National Stadium, Riffa first on October 10 and the next five days against China at the Qingdao Youth Football Stadium, Shandong.

Erick said the purpose of chartering this aircraft was to save the players who would travel long trips.

"We have prepared that the team can gather early to play in Indonesia, meaning Indonesian players. Several players from abroad will be direct," Erick explained when met by the media crew after he watched the final of women's soccer at the XXI 2024 National Sports Week (PON) between DKI Jakarta and West Java at the Mini Pancing Stadium, Deli Serdang, Saturday, September 14, confiscated by Antara.

"Well, indeed for our aircraft we will charter those from Bahrain to China because it is impossible for them to come from Bahrain to Doha, Doha to Hong Kong, Hong Kong to Beijing, then up to six hours, of course, the time is tens of hours. Tired, poor," he added.

On the same occasion, the 54-year-old man also appreciated the national team players when they immediately returned to their respective clubs shortly after Garuda drew 0-0 against Australia on September 10.

"And we have to appreciate like yesterday the players finished the match, they immediately went back to the club. That's a discipline that's not easy," he said.

"Some returned to Europe, some returned to America, some returned to Korea such as Arhan. Yes, it is not easy, yes, we must appreciate their struggle," continued Erick.

Furthermore, he also responded to the polemic that attacks the current Indonesian national team, which allegedly has a dual passport.

"There must be differences of opinion, but we just go back to work. We don't want to be trapped in polemics, the discussion that made me. And this is a democratic country, criticism is something good," he said.

"But we just focus, we work, work, work, work, work," he said.