Two defeats in Jeddah ended the dreams of the Indonesian national team and Patrick Kluivert to the 2026 World Cup. Voices demanding evaluation, even dismissal, became louder. However, there are also those who ask PSSI to be patient. Is this Dutch legend worth preserving?
The hopes of hundreds of millions of Indonesian people to see the Garuda Team compete on the grandest football stage, the 2026 World Cup, have officially been buried. The 1-0 defeat to Iraq in the final match of the fourth qualifying round in Jeddah was the final verdict for Patrick Kluivert’s squad.
Appointed in January 2025 with high expectations to replace Shin Tae-yong, the Dutch football legend is now under intense scrutiny. His report card, which was far from satisfactory, sparked heated debate among observers and supporters: Continue or Stop?
The following is a brief track record of Kluivert with Indonesia:
- Lost 5-1 vs Australia (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 3)
- Win 1-0 vs Bahrain (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 3)
- Win 1-0 vs China (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 3)
- Lost 6-0 vs Japan (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 3)
- Win 6-0 vs Chinese Taipei (Trial)
- Draw 0-0 vs Lebanon (Trial)
- Lost 3-2 vs Saudi Arabia (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 4)
- Lost 1-0 vs Iraq (2026 World Cup Qualification Round 4)
With that report, let’s dissect the argument from two opposing sides.
