Dutch manager Patrick Kluivert is looking to lead Indonesia to victory against Australia in matchday seven in the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, Afrosport reports.
The former Dutch forward took over the Indonesian team in January, succeeding South Korean manager Shin Tae-yong, who was in charge of the team for five years.
Indonesia, third in Group C with six points, will take on Australia on Thursday, with the Socceroos one point ahead in second place, in a must-win match with no margin for error for both sides.
Kluivert, in his pre-match conference, said his side are ready to take on the Socceroos as he is gearing up for his first match as Indonesia head coach.
“It’s not easy, as Jay [Idzes] just said. Coach Shin Tae [Yong] was there for five years, did a very good job, a lot of respect here in Indonesia and well-respected,” said Kluivert on taking over from his South Korea predecessor.
“But here, two days training, players are coming in quite late, but again, that’s not an excuse. Also, players from Australia also came in late from Europe or whatever.
“But we’re ready. And that’s the most important thing. The expectations? of course there’s always expectations. And we’re doing our best to accomplish the expectations.”
Japan comfortably sits atop the group with 16 points, nine more than Australia and 10 ahead of Indonesia, who beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 last November to revive their qualifying campaign.
Kluivert, who is looking to lead the Southeast Asian side to the World Cup finals, is hoping they can replicate their performance against the Saudis when they take on Australia’s Socceroos, a side they have not defeated since 1981.
“Long time ago, he stated as regards their last win against Thursday’s opponents. “And tomorrow, we try to have the first victory in the long time that they didn’t win.
“And we’re looking forward, you know, we come to have a good result. As Jay already said, we prepared to fight for the country and have a good result.
“We can speak a lot of things and discuss a lot of things but tomorrow on the pitch, there you need to show what you’re worth.”
