The Indonesian National Team’s target is to enter the top 4

Jakarta, Beritasatu.com – Indonesian national team right-back Sandy Walsh revealed squad Garuda still has strong ambitions to go far in the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone. He emphasized that the Indonesian national team is at least targeting entering the top four in the third qualifying round.

“I’m sure our ambition is still the same, namely to qualify for the next round in the top four positions. I’m sure with this squad, we will achieve it,” he said at the PSSI Media Day event with the Indonesian national team in Jakarta, Tuesday (12/11/2024).

To qualify for the 2026 World Cup, the Indonesian national team must finish in the top two in the third round of 2026 World Cup Qualification. Indonesia also has the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup by entering the fourth round if it finishes third or fourth. However, Garuda still has to compete with other teams if it enters the fourth round.

So far, the Indonesian national team has not achieved maximum results throughout the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifications in the Asian zone. Of the four matches that have been played, Shin Tae-yong’s troops have only scored three points from three draws and one defeat.

This score was achieved after Indonesia drew against World Cup regulars, namely Saudi Arabia (1-1) and Australia (0-0), and was held by Bahrain (2-2). Finally, the Garuda squad lost 1-2 at China’s headquarters.

These results also put the Garuda squad in fifth place in Group C standings, with identical points with China as caretaker. Sandy Walsh et al are 2 points behind Australia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrin.

Meanwhile, Japan is comfortably at the top of Group C with 10 points. Thus, the next matches will really determine the fate of the Indonesian national team heading to the 2026 World Cup.

Sandy admitted that the series of results obtained by the Indonesian national team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifications had not been optimal. However, he believes the Garuda squad still has a chance to break into the top four.

“The last two matches for us were quite disappointing. Of course we had a goal to get at least three to four points. In these two matches, we only got one point. So, now it’s up to us to get more points,” said the KV Mechelen player .

Next, the Indonesian national team will face a tough challenge by facing Japan, the Asian giant and World Cup regular. The Indonesia vs Japan match will be presented at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK), Senayan, Jakarta, Friday (12/11/2024) at 19.00 WIB.

Sandy understands that the match against Japan will not be easy. At the last meeting, Garuda lost 1-3 to Samurai Blue in the 2023 Asian Cup group phase. However, Shin Tae-yong’s troops are not afraid and will fight hard to achieve the best results when they meet their opponent.

“We have to start by getting a good result on Friday (vs Japan), then carry that good performance against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to win,” he concluded.