Ahead Of Japan's Opponents, 2 Indonesian National Team Players Injured

Malik Risaldi was injured while defending Persebaya, the Indonesian national team was worried (Instagram/@malikrsaldi77).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will face Japan on the fifth matchday of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round in mid-November 2024. Ahead of the important match, Ernando Ari and Malik Risaldi were injured.

Untuk kondisi Ernando dan Malik, mereka diketahui mengalami cedera saat memperkuat Persebaya ketika melawan PSM Makassar pada laga Liga 1 2024/2025 di Stadion Gelora Bung Tomo, Rabu, 23 Oktober 2024.

"Two Persebaya players Malik Risaldi and Ernando Ari were injured in the match against PSM Makassar on October 23, 2024. Malik injured on his left leg, Nando on his left shoulder," Persebaya wrote on Instagram quoted Friday, November 1, 2024.

The Persebaya medical team is conducting observations to determine when the two players can return to training. However, the club emphasized that Ernando and Malik were clearly absent against PSIS Semarang.

"They are confirmed to be absent from matchday 10 against PSIS Semarang," Persebaya wrote again.

The PSIS vs Persebaya duel will be held at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Gianyar, Bali on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Ernando and Malik will be rested for recovery.

The two players are expected to recover soon in order to strengthen the Indonesian national team against Japan at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on November 15, 2024.

Ernando's injury clearly made Shin Tae-yong anxious. However, the coach certainly has alternative plans to deal with situations like this.

After hosting Japan, the Indonesian national team will face Saudi Arabia at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) on November 19, 2024.

This will be a crucial match for the Garuda Squad which is struggling to break into the top four of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round.