Against The Philippines, The Indonesian National Team Without Rivaldo Pakpahan Due To Injuries

Rivaldo Pakpahan had to miss the Indonesian national team hosting the Philippines in the final match of the 2024 AFF Cup group (Instagram/@borneofc.id).

JAKARTA - Bad news received by the Indonesian national team ahead of the Philippines in the final match of the 2024 AFF Cup group phase. Rivaldo Pakpahan was confirmed to be absent from defending the Garuda Squad due to injury.

This news was confirmed by the Indonesian national team manager, Sumardji, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. After ensuring that the condition of the other players was in good condition, Sumardji explained that only Rivaldo could not defend the team in the following match.

"All the players are in top condition. Only Rivaldo is injured. He has to walk with a stick because his ankle is hit (injured)," said Sumardji in a statement received Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

Rivaldo appeared when the Indonesian national team faced Vietnam on the third matchday of Group B of the 2024 AFF Cup. In Sunday's match, December 15, 2024, it was also the debut moment for the 21-year-old player with the Garuda Squad.

Unfortunately, Rivaldo had to come out in the 40th minute and be replaced by Rafael Struick. The Borneo FC player seemed to be limping when he walked off the pitch.

Regarding Rivaldo's condition, Sumardji said that the injury suffered by the player took one to two weeks to recover. This situation will make him miss the agenda against the Philippines on Saturday, December 21, 2024.

"It took a long time, a week or two to recover," said Sumardji again.

The Indonesia vs Philippines national team match will take place at Manahan Stadium, Solo, Saturday, December 21, 2024.

The entire Garuda squad is currently known to have been in Solo since Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from Vietnam, to undergo preparations to perform optimally.