The Indonesian National Team Should Not View Brunei's Remeh

Indonesian national team midfielder, Marc Klok. (Photo via Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team will host Brunei Darussalam at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, October 12. The two teams will clash with each other in the context of the 2026 World Cup Qualification.

On paper, the Indonesian national team is clearly more favored. Ranked by the Garuda Team is far above the country with the capital Bandar Seri Begawan.

Brunei is currently ranked 191th in the world, 44 places adrift of Indonesia, which is ranked 147th in the world. However, that does not mean Brunei can be seen as weak.

Indonesian national team player Marc Klok said his team must give maximum ability in the match against Brunei. The Persib Bandung midfielder did not want to underestimate Brunei's strength.

"Everyone knows this is a World Cup qualifier and we want to get in there. It's very important that we can see Brunei below us or whatever, we have to focus 100 percent on taking this match like all the other match and we have to be one hundred percent out," said Klok, quoted by Antara.

Indonesia will act as host first in the first round of the Asian zone 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Brunei with the first match being held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) on Thursday 12 p and the second match being held at the Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium on Tuesday (17/10).

"It's already the 9th and the 12th. We don't have much time. I'm glad everyone is here because we need good chemistry so everyone has to attend," said Klok.

The Dutch footballer is targeting to win two matches against Brunei to advance to the second round of Asian zone 2026 World Cup qualifiers and join Group F with Iraq, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Indonesia itself has a positive record against Brunei. Based on Livescore records, Indonesia has always won the last three matches, namely winning 5-0 (trial 2012), 4-0 (trial 2017), and 7-0 (AFF Cup 2022).

"You have to win twice, this is a target. Everyone is confident and we are also preparing for the Asian Cup (starting January next year). All matches are very important," said Klok, who now has 16 caps and has four goals with Indonesia.