Indonesia Prepares to Face Bahrain in World Cup Qualifiers

The Indonesian national team is preparing to face Bahrain in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian zone on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.

The match will take place at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta at 8:30 PM WIB and will be broadcast live on RCTI, RTV, and the Vision+ streaming platform.

Coach Patrick Kluivert's squad will need to be cautious of Bahrain's tactical strategies, especially after their recent performance against Japan, where they conceded only two goals in their last encounter before facing Indonesia.

In contrast, the Garuda squad recently experienced a heavy 0-4 defeat to Japan and lost 1-5 to Australia on Thursday, March 20.

Kluivert, in his debut with the Indonesian national team, utilized a 3-4-1-2 formation, while Bahrain employed a 4-2-3-1 system in their latest match. While Indonesia adopted an attacking approach against Australia, Bahrain favored a more defensive style against Japan.

Ahead of the match against Bahrain, Kluivert hinted at possible tactical adjustments but emphasized his commitment to an attacking style of play. “There’s definitely a possibility to play offensively and change the formation. However, we must prioritize the team's health and overall cohesion. I am very confident in our unity as a team,” he stated during the team's second training session at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

If Kluivert maintains a three-center-back setup, likely featuring Jay Idzes, Rizky Ridho, and Justin Hubner, Indonesia must remain vigilant against Bahrain’s counterattacking threats. Japan, which used a similar 3-4-1-2 formation against Bahrain, was caught off guard multiple times.

Bahrain’s four-man defense can advance collectively when in possession, applying moderate pressure before launching aggressive counterattacks. Their wing players double as additional defenders, while their two midfielders can exploit turnovers to initiate quick attacks with three forwards. Bahrain typically operates in coordinated groups of four to five players when regaining possession.

To penetrate Bahrain’s defense, Japan relied on quick ball circulation and precise passing to navigate through a compact setup, which then transitioned into aggressive offensive pushes. This presents a significant challenge for Kluivert if he opts for an attacking strategy, especially given Indonesia’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Garuda backline has several issues to address, making them susceptible to Bahrain’s rapid counterattacks.

Currently, the Indonesian national team is continuing its training sessions. During the second session, Kluivert was assisted by his coaching staff, including Alex Pastoor, Danny Landzaat, and Gerald Vanenburg. Of the 30 players called up, 28 participated in training, while Mees Hilgers and Egy Maulana Vikri were absent due to injuries.