The Indonesian National Team Will Rent Aircraft From Bahrain To China

Indonesian national team. (DOK. PSSI)

The Indonesian National Team Will Rent Aircraft From Bahrain To China

PSSI General Chair Erick Thohir confirmed that the Indonesian national team would lease a plane from Bahrain to China for the continuation of the Asian zone 2026 World Cup third round qualifiers.

Garuda troops are scheduled to undergo two further qualifying matches next month. Starting from against Bahrain on October 10 and continuing against China on October 15.

Erick said that the Indonesian national team would later depart with a commercial plane to Bahrain, but had to continue their journey to China by chartered plane due to time constraints.

"For flights from Bahrain to China, it is not a luxury, but part of providing investment, the players are not injured. The injury does not only occur in matches, beyond that it can also be done," he said in Jakarta, Saturday, September 21.

Indonesia has previously played two qualifying matches, each against Saudi Arabia and Australia. The Garuda squad managed to hold back the two countries to a two-point draw.

Erick said that Indonesia is targeted to get points again when away to Bahrain and China. However, the figure who also serves as Minister of SOEs refused to underestimate the strengths of the two countries.

"We don't underestimate China and Bahrain they are also a good team, but we hope to get point three in either or both," said Erick.

Currently PSSI is trying to naturalize two new players, namely Mees Hilgers and Eliano Reijnders. Both names only need to take the oath to get the status of Indonesian citizens (WNI).

It is planned that the oath will be carried out in the Netherlands, where the two players play. This step was taken to speed up their status in order to defend Indonesia on the Bahrain and China agenda.

Currently, Indonesia is still in fourth place in Group C of the Asian zone 2026 World Cup third round qualifiers with two points. To qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, Indonesia must complete this round in the top two places.

If that doesn't happen then the Garuda squad needs to secure third and fourth place in the final standings to advance to the fourth round of qualifiers.