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Indonesian National Team Prepares with diaspora Players for World Cup Qualifiers
By Anya Sharma | JAKARTA – 2025/09/01 08:22:31
A number of diaspora players in Europe are preparing to join the Indonesian national team. Jay Idzes has already arrived in Surabaya, with Emil Audero and Justin Hubner expected to arrive soon.
Jay shared a photo on social media confirming his arrival in Surabaya on Monday, September 1, 2025. Audero is reportedly already on his flight, while Hubner is departing from the airport.
All three players recently concluded their final matches with their respective clubs before the FIFA Matchday international break. Jay and Audero faced each other in the match between Cremonese and Sassuolo on Friday, August 29. Hubner played for Fortuna Sittard against NEC Nijmegen on Sunday, August 31.
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the three players are joining the Indonesian national team squad for two upcoming trial matches.The Garuda team will face Taiwan on September 5 and Lebanon on September 9 at Gelora bung Tomo, Surabaya.
“The selection of Kuwait and Lebanon as a trial opponent is to measure the strength of the Middle East.”
Taiwan and Lebanon were selected by PSSI as preparation for the Indonesian national team ahead of Round 4 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Initially, Kuwait was considered as a trial opponent but withdrew and was replaced by Taiwan.
The choice of Lebanon and previously Kuwait, was intended to assess the team’s readiness against Middle Eastern opponents, as Garuda will face Saudi Arabia and Iraq in Round 4, both teams from the same region with similar playing styles.
the Indonesian national team is scheduled to play Saudi Arabia on October 8 and Iraq on October 11. All Group B matches will be held in Saudi Arabia.
Only the group winners (A & B) will secure a spot in the World Cup,while the runners-up will advance to Round 5.
