This view was shared by football scout Chad Bridges in an article on Channel NewsAsia.
In February 2023, Erick Thohir, a businessman who once owned two clubs, Inter Milan (Italy) and DC United (USA), was appointed as the president of the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). His mission? To awaken the potential of Indonesian football.
That has certainly paid off. Indonesia are currently third in their qualifying group. Only the top two teams will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup, but finishing third or fourth could give them another chance.
With four more qualifying matches to come in the coming months, Kluivert's task is clear.
Many talents
In terms of raw football talent, Indonesia has many promising players. Marselino Ferdinand, who scored twice to help Indonesia beat Saudi Arabia 2-0, is a prime example. There are also a number of players of Dutch descent playing in Europe.
Mees Hilgers plays for Twente in the Dutch top flight while Nathan Tjoe-A-On plays in the English second division with Swansea City. Jay Idzes is a regular for Venezia in Serie A.
However, considering the squad that Indonesia has, PSSI has come to the conclusion that the team’s recent form has not been good enough. Apart from a surprise win over former Asian champions Saudi Arabia, the team suffered a heavy defeat against strong team Japan and dropped undeserved points against weak Gulf team Bahrain.
PSSI concluded that the national team lacked a clear football philosophy and sufficient understanding of tactics. In particular, the results of some matches were not as expected. Therefore, coach Shin Tae-yong was fired in early January 2025.
Strategy using Dutch people
Indonesia needs to play to win, not wait to lose. And choosing the legendary Kluivert to replace Shin is in that spirit.
With 40 goals for the Netherlands in a 10-year career, Kluivert will be revered as a hero by Dutch-born players. He promises to bring a new spirit to the Indonesian team.
Supported by fellow Dutchmen Denny Landzaat and Alex Pastoor, Kluivert will look to instill the Netherlands’ all-out attacking football philosophy into Indonesia, which will help Indonesia seize the initiative in games, rather than simply react (or not react) to difficult circumstances.
Aside from Kluivert’s star quality, perhaps the biggest asset the Dutch trio will bring to Indonesia will be their ability to communicate with the Dutch-born naturalised players. His predecessor, Shin, spoke neither English, Dutch nor Bahasa Indonesia.
World Cup Qualifiers Are Everything
Ultimately, results on the pitch will determine whether Kluivert wins over Indonesian football fans. Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup is everything. You can only imagine the excitement Indonesians feel at the prospect of playing in Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026.
Indonesia will need the support of the whole country when they travel to Australia for their next World Cup qualifier on March 20. Indonesian fans will hope Kluivert can help their team beat Bahrain five days later at home.
The Indonesian team and their fans should look forward to their bright future, not worrying about the difficulties of the past. It is time for the Indonesian players to believe in their talent and show it to realize the big dream with Patrick Kluivert.
