See The Indonesian National Team Is Compact, Jay Idzes Is Optimistic To Face Saudi Arabia

Jay Idzes is optimistic that the Indonesian national team will be stronger this time (VOI/Karisa Aurelia Tukan).

JAKARTA - The center-back of the Indonesian national team, Jay Idzes, has high optimism ahead of the important match against Saudi Arabia in the Fourth Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification. Garuda's squad's cohesiveness is increasingly a convincing aspect for Idzes.

"Last year many new players in the team, including me. I haven't played much for the Indonesian national team at that time."

"Now it's a little different. We've been together longer, know each other better and be more compact."

"This is the team we want to play and it's very helpful. You can help with that on the pitch too," Jay Idzes told a news conference before the match quoted Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

For Idzes, currently the team's atmosphere is very positive to face opponents in crucial matches. Especially now that the Indonesian national team is closer to the 2026 World Cup than last year.

"Last year we also struggled for the World Cup, but now we are a little closer. However, that doesn't change our goals."

"So, there are not many differences, unless we are closer to our goal and have played together more often," he said.

The Indonesian national team will face Saudi Arabia in the first match of Group B of the Fourth Round of the Asian Zone 2026 World Cup Qualification. This match will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, on Thursday, October 9, 2025, at 00.15 WIB.

This fight became the initial determinant in the race for tickets to the 2026 World Cup. In this format, only group winners qualify automatically for the finals, while second place still has to play the fifth round to fight for the playoffs.