Shin Tae-yong Calls Mees Hilgers, But Is Not Released By The Club

Mees Hilgers was not released by FC Twenty to the Indonesian national team due to injury (Instagram/@meeshilggerss).

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team coach, Shin Tae-yong, expressed his desire to involve Mees Hilgers against Japan. However, his decision to call the player failed to be carried out because his club, FC Twenty, could not be released.

This was said by Shin Tae-yong before leading the Indonesian national team's training at Madya Square, Senayan, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. The coach said that FC Twenty did not release Mees because he was still experiencing a hamstring injury.

"It was not me who did not call him (Mees Hilgers), but from his team (FC Twenty) who did not release their players on the grounds that the hamstring was not good," said Shin Tae-yong.

As is known, the Indonesian national team will face Japan on the fifth matchday of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round. The match will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno (SUGBK) Main Stadium on November 15, 2024.

For that match, Shin Tae-yong has called 27 players including Mees Hilgers. However, when the player's name was released, Mees Hilgers was injured and even missed the Europa League against Nice on November 8, 2024.

Then, not long after, Mees Hilgers appeared as a starter when Twente fought Ajax Amsterdam in Eredivisie. This 23-year-old player performed 84 minutes.

Even so, Hilgers admitted that his injury had not fully recovered. For that reason, Hilgers decided not to come to Jakarta to defend the Indonesian national team.

On the other hand, even without Mees Hilgers, the Indonesian national team could get additional strength because of Kevin Diks' presence.

The process of moving the FC Copenhagen player association from KNVB to PSSI was received by FIFA and confirmed that he appeared to defend the Indonesian national team against Japan.