The upcoming match between the Indonesia National Football team and Japan National Football Team in international football is one of the most anticipated events for football fans. This match is not just an ordinary game, but also an opportunity to show that Indonesian football has progressed and is ready to compete at the international level.

Preparation of the Indonesian National Team for the Upcoming Match

One name that has drawn attention in the preparations of the Indonesian National Team is Kevin Diks. The Indonesian-descent player, who plays as a right-back, has recently been called up to strengthen the national team. Kevin Diks, born in the Netherlands, has experience playing in European leagues, which is certainly a big advantage for Indonesia. Diks' naturalization process has been the focus of public attention, as he could become a key player who brings more quality to the defensive line.

Diks himself has stated his readiness to defend the Indonesian national team, and although he has just joined, his presence on the team is expected to strengthen the defense, which has often been a problem for Indonesia. With his skills and international experience, Diks can contribute a lot to facing a strong team like Japan.

Coach Shin Tae-yong is happy with Diks' joining, and he feels more confident in the backline. Moreover, in the matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian national team's defense cannot be strengthened by Mees Hilgers due to injury.

The injury suffered by Mees Hilgers ahead of the Indonesia vs Japan match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is very disappointing news for the Indonesian national team. Hilgers, who was initially expected to be a mainstay in defense, was forced to miss out due to a hamstring injury he sustained while playing for Twente against Ajax Amsterdam in the Eredivisie.

A Tough Challenge Ahead

The Indonesian national team is set to face a formidable challenge when they encounter Japan. The Samurai Blue are coming to Indonesia with a squad bolstered by several star players who ply their trade at top European clubs like Liverpool, Celtic, and AS Monaco. Names such as Wataru Endo, Hidemasa Morita, and Kyogo Furuhashi will undoubtedly pose a serious threat to the Garuda Muda defense. Nevertheless, Shin Tae-yong and his team will not give up easily. They will fight tooth and nail to achieve the best possible result, given Japan's impressive track record with 4 Asian Cup titles and 7 World Cup appearances.

On the other hand, Indonesia, despite having a long history in Southeast Asian football, often faces significant challenges when competing against East Asian teams like Japan. However, in recent years, Indonesia has shown significant progress. Coach Shin Tae-yong, who hails from South Korea, has brought about a major transformation in the national team's play. With a combination of young and experienced players, Indonesia is now more daring in facing big teams with a faster and more organized style of play.

The Indonesia vs Japan match is not merely a platform to secure points in the World Cup Qualifiers, but also a moment for Indonesian football to showcase its significant progress.

Match Schedule

This Indonesia vs Japan match is part of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Of course, a win in this match will be very significant for Indonesia's steps to qualify for the World Cup finals. In addition, this match is also a showcase for Indonesian players to be able to compete with other strong Asian teams.

The match between Indonesia and Japan will be held on Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta. The kick-off is scheduled to start at 19.00 WIB.

For those of you who can't come directly to the stadium, don't worry! This match will be broadcast live and you can watch and support the Indonesian national team so that they can compete in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Get access to your favorite sports matches on Vision+ by subscribing to CBN Fiber Home or the SportsHub add-on now! So, you can still enjoy the match while relaxing at home.

/

/

Mees Hilgers Injured, Kevin Diks Ready to Face Japan

Exclusive Promotion for you