September 3, 2025 | 04:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Patrick Kluivert, the coach of the Indonesian national football team, admitted he was disappointed after the friendly match against Kuwait was canceled. The game was scheduled to be a part of the September 2025 FIFA Matchday, set to take place at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Surabaya on September 5.
Indonesia was originally set to play against two Middle Eastern teams, Kuwait and Lebanon, on September 5 and 8. However, after Kuwait's sudden withdrawal, Taiwan was brought in as a last-minute replacement.
"Of course, we are not too happy because it's difficult to find the right opponent just two weeks before the match. But luckily, we found Taiwan willing to play," Kluivert said during an open training session.
The matches against Kuwait and Lebanon were originally planned by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) to prepare the national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. In the fourth round of the qualifiers, Indonesia will face tough opponents, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, in October 2025.
PSSI had specifically chosen Kuwait and Lebanon because their playing styles are similar to those of Saudi Arabia and Iraq, which would have allowed Kluivert to develop more precise strategies.
Despite the change in opponent, Kluivert believes the cancellation will not significantly impact the team's preparation. He noted that while Taiwan and Kuwait have different playing styles, the most important thing is to focus on his own team's game plan.
"It doesn't matter how the opponent plays. As a coach, I first focus on my team, on how we can face the opponent appropriately," the Dutch coach explained.
The September 2025 FIFA Matchday will be Kluivert's first time in Surabaya. When asked about his first impressions of the city, the 49-year-old coach was positive: "The field is very good, and the weather is amazing, so I am very happy."
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