Indonesia’s new coach, Patrick Kluivert, goals to safe a spot within the 2026 World Cup and is decided to start his tenure with a powerful efficiency in opposition to Australia.
The former Netherlands striker changed South Korean Shin Tae-yong, who was dismissed final day with Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) chief Erick Thohir calling for higher management.
“From the first two games I would love to have at least four points,” Kluivert mentioned throughout his unveiling at a press convention in Jakarta.
Indonesia are third of their qualifying group, effectively adrift of leaders Japan however solely some extent behind Australia within the battle for the 2 computerized berths within the world match.
Kluivert’s first qualifying match can be Indonesia’s journey to Australia on March 20, earlier than they face Bahrain in Jakarta 5 days later.
Kluivert, 48, mentioned he most popular to play attacking soccer in a 4-3-3 formation however was open to being versatile.
“When you play football the system will change … the most important thing is the players understand what to do in what moment,” he added.
After years within the doldrums, Indonesia have skilled a big upturn in fortunes on account of an inflow of primarily Dutch-born members of Indonesia’s diaspora into the nationwide workforce.
They have given Indonesia hope of a long-awaited return to the World Cup finals following their solely look in 1938 because the Dutch East Indies when the nation was nonetheless below Dutch colonial rule.
Kluivert loved a stellar enjoying profession by which he received the Spanish league title with Barcelona in 1999 and scored 40 targets in 79 internationals.
After stints as an assistant coach within the Netherlands and Australia, Kluivert was appointed head coach of Curacao, his mom’s homeland, in 2015 earlier than returning to work in Ajax Amsterdam’s academy lower than 18 months later.
He has signed a contract with Indonesia by to 2027 and can be assisted by fellow Dutchmen Alex Pastoor and Denny Landzaat.
Source: www.dailysabah.com