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2026 World Cup Qualifiers - Patrick Kluivert Satisfied With New Indonesian National Team Players

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir said that Indonesian national team coach Patrick Kluivert was satisfied with the new names called up for the final two matches of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the third round of Group C against China on Thursday (5/6) and Japan on Tuesday (10/6). 

In the 30 names of national team players, Kluivert called up one new player, namely Beckham Putra. He also called up old names such as Stefano Lilipaly, Yakob Sayuri, Yance Sayuri, Asnawi Mangkualam, and Reza Arya. 

These five names did not get a call up in the first period of "Garuda Calling" from him last March. 

Beckham, Lilipaly, Yakob, Yance, Asnawi, and Reza have been assessed directly by Kluivert, after they were included in the 28 players who attended the training camp session in Bali since Monday last week. 

"Very satisfying," said Erick briefly, to reporters during the Indonesian national team training session at the Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Monday. 

Erick said the presence of these players is a signal that there is no guarantee of a place in the Garuda team, even for regular players. 

"That's what we expect, there is competition between players. No one is in the safe zone and so on," he said. 

Erick is also satisfied to see the depth of the Garuda squad which according to him already has core and reserve players who are equally good. 

This makes Kluivert not too dizzy if he loses players in one match. 

Sandy Walsh and Eliano Reinjders are confirmed to be absent, but Kluivert still has at least three players to fill the right-back position, namely Kevin Diks, Asnawi Mangkualam, and Yakob Sayuri. 

In the goalkeeper position, Emil Audero is ready to replace Maarten Paes who is absent against China due to an accumulation of yellow cards. 

Marselino Ferdinan and Ragnar Oratmangoen also cannot take part against China, but Kluivert still has Yakob, Beckham, Stefano Lilipaly, and Egy Maulana Vikry. 

"We believe that now our national team has the strength of 2 times 11 that I always say. If in the past there were 1-2 injuries, we would have been dizzy," said Erick. 

"Now with two goalkeepers, plus Nadeo, Reza Arya, I think this is a fairly deep composition. Same for right back, left back, center back." 

Tag: Erick Thohir Patrick Kluivert PSSI