TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team's heavy defeat by Japan in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers has garnered attention. A report by ESPN assessed that, in that match, Japan is reminding the Garuda squad of the level they must achieve to compete in the World Cup.
Japan, the 15th-ranked FIFA team, has secured a place in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, Indonesia, ranked 123rd in the world, still has a chance after qualifying for the fourth round of the Asia zone qualifiers. If they are successful, Indonesia can claim a spot among the best teams in Asia.
Japan ended their third round with a 6-0 victory over Indonesia at Suita City Stadium on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. However, the team called the Blue Samurai did not field their best players. Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu only fielded three players who had more than ten caps with the national team. He also made time for Junnosuke Suzuki and Shunsuke Mito to make their debuts.
Nevertheless, the three experienced players who played were able to influence the course of the match. Liverpool player Wataru Endo provided stability in midfield, while Takefusa Kubo and Daichi Kamada were the driving force behind the Blue Samurai's scoring.
Kamada put the hosts ahead in the 15th minute when he headed in an accurate cross from Mito. Kubo doubled the lead four minutes after breaking into Indonesia's penalty area and evading goalkeeper Emil Audero Mulyadi.
Just before half-time, they collaborated to score Japan's third goal. Kubo freed himself from the opponent's defense with a spin move. With his speed, he provided a pass to Kamada, who showed composure in outwitting the opponent. He lifted the ball over goalkeeper Audero.
Japan's quality is truly frightening. Moreover, Kaoru Mitoma, Ritsu Dan, Takumi Minamino, and Ayase Ueda have not yet returned to Japan's main 11 players.
Indonesian national team coach Patrick Kluivert believes Japan is one of the best teams in Asia. According to him, Japan's quality is incredible. "Now, [we] see the real level of a top team, a top country, and [see that we] need to improve. It was a big learning moment although we're very disappointed with the result," he said as quoted by ESPN.
Indonesian national team captain Jay Idzes shares the same opinion as Kluivert. He highlights the difference in football standards experienced by players from both teams at the club level. "We have players playing at different levels. Some play in Liga 1 in Indonesia. Some play in Holland. Some play, like me for example, in Italy," he said.
"Today we saw we are not there yet, when we play against players that are really good and play at a high level. We see there's quite a difference in Asia. But we have real potential to reach that level. We have to work on certain things and we're going to do that," Idzes said again.
Indonesia also suffered bad luck in the match against Japan. Kevin Diks and his substitute, Yakob Sayuri, were injured. The Garuda squad might have hoped Japan would be softer, but that did not happen. Japan, including substitute players like Keito Nakamura, pressed and kept Indonesia's defense under siege throughout the match.
Nakamura is one of the players allowed to compete for a place in the Japan national team. He did not waste his chance when he replaced Kamada for the second half. He played a role in Japan's fourth goal in the 55th minute. He made a run before finding Shuto Machino's movement in open space. Ryoya Morishita kicked his pass.
Kubo finally followed in Kamada's footsteps to rest early. However, before that, he provided a beautiful pass that bypassed the opponent's defense. Machino pounced on it to score Japan's fifth goal that night.
Indonesia's suffering was complete. With ten minutes remaining, Japan added a sixth goal. Moriyasu's decision to field some inexperienced players proved right. Several new faces were able to work together to produce a devastating effect.
Twenty-one-year-old Kota Tawaratsumida still plays in the Japanese J1 League with FC Tokyo. He excelled by running fast on the left side of the field before releasing a pass from the goal line. The ball headed towards Nakamura, but he failed to aim his shot at the goal. Instead, he directed it to Mao Hosoya, who could finish it into the sixth goal.
The final statistics of the match don't lie. Indonesia only had a 29.1 percent ball possession. They didn't even manage a single shot, compared to their opponents, who made 22 shots, with ten of them on target.
Despite the pain, Indonesia should view the heavy defeat by Japan as a crucial moment. Patrick Kluivert certainly hopes that this will be a good experience for the players in facing the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in October.
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