Kevin Diks Will Debut For The Indonesian National Team Against Japan

Kevin Diks will make his debut with the Indonesian national team against Japan in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (Instagram/@kevindiks2).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, confirmed that Kevin Diks would make his debut against Japan.

The Indonesia vs Japan match in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, November 15, 2024.

"Don't worry, he (Diks) will be played 100 percent," Shin said before leading the Indonesian national team training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

Diks just finished naturalization on November 7, 2024 in Denmark. He only arrived in the country on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, morning WIB.

Kevin Diks and Thom Haye became the last players to join the Indonesian national team training.

The reason is, the defender must first defend his team, FC Copenhagen, against Aarhus Gymnastikforening in the Danish League on Monday, November 11, 2024.

Diks' presence will add to the strength of the Garuda Squad in the back line. You see, it is certain that Shin Tae-yong will not be able to play Mees Hilgers who suffered an injury while defending his club, FC Twenty, against Ajax Amsterdam on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

As a result, Hilgers could not join either the match against Japan or when they hosted Saudi Arabia on November 19, 2024.

"It was not me who did not call (Mees Hilgers), but from his team did not release the player on the grounds that his hamstring condition was not good," said the South Korean coach.

Meanwhile, Shin Tae-yong further realized that the match against Japan was a very difficult party.

However, he did not want his team to be inferior in dealing with one of the strong teams in Asia.

"As we all know, Japan is the best team in Asia from FIFA rankings. The important thing is confidence from players, both physically and physically, from anywhere, we will not lose mentally to them," said Shin Tae-yong as quoted by Antara.