Jumat 28 Mar 2025 04:56 WIB

Calvin Verdonk's Optimism: Indonesia Has a Chance to Beat Japan

Verdonk sees this opportunity because Japan has already made sure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Red: Budi Raharjo

Foto: Republika/Edwin Dwi Putranto

Indonesian national team player Calvin Verdonk dribbles a ball in the shadow of Bahrain's players during the 2026 World Cup qualification match at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday (25/3/2025). Indonesia defeated Bahrain with a score of 1-0. Indonesia's winning goal was scored by Ole Romeny in the 24th minute.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia's Calvin Verdonk is optimistic that Garuda has a chance of winning against Japan in the final match of Group C of the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C Asia Zone on June 10.

Verdonk sees this opportunity because Japan has already made sure of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in its seventh game against Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday (20/3/2025).

Baca Juga

The loss of Japan left Hajime Moriyasu's side unable to show their full strength in the remaining games, and this was evident when they did not use their key players in Tuesday's match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday (25/3/2025).

“We can hope for a miracle to happen when we face Japan, away. They have already qualified for the World Cup, so we may have a chance to win,” Verdonk said after playing full in the 1-0 win against Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Currently, Indonesia is in fourth place with nine points from eight games. They have a three-point lead over Bahrain and China in fifth and sixth place.

In fourth place, Indonesia is one point adrift of Saudi Arabia in third, then four points adrift of Australia in second, and 11 points clear of Japan in first place.

With this situation, the chances of Indonesia advancing to the next round, the fourth round to chase the remaining tickets to the 2026 World Cup are very wide. As for the Garuda team, the chances of qualifying directly by finishing as runner-up in the third round are also still open although the chances are slim.

“Now we just need to win against China (June 5),” said the NEC Nijmegen player.

The match against Bahrain is Verdonk's ninth match with Garuda since his debut in the Shin Tae-yong era in the last match against the Philippines in the second round of 2026 World Cup qualifying in June last year.

After finishing the match with Indonesia, Verdonk now returns to the Netherlands to defend NEC Nijmegen who will host AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie continuation at Gofferstadion, Sunday (30/3/2025) at 03.00 pm.

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