Indonesia's World Cup Hopes Rest on Maarten Paes as Qualifiers Approach
Jakarta. Indonesia National Football Team goalkeeper Maarten Paes is determined to help the Garuda team qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The FC Dallas player is optimistic that the national team can fulfill its dream of competing on the global stage.
The Indonesian national team is set to play two away matches in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for the Asian zone, facing Bahrain on Thursday, and China in Qingdao on Oct. 15, 2024.
“I think it's a beautiful dream. We need to set big goals and reach for the stars,” the 26-year-old goalkeeper said in an interview with FIFA on Wednesday.
Paes believes that the 2026 World Cup, taking place in the United States, will be particularly special for him, as he previously lived there and witnessed the growing popularity of soccer.
The goalkeeper is confident that the national team's chances of reaching the World Cup are promising. Under the guidance of coach Shin Tae-yong, the Garuda team is filled with potential that continues to develop.
“I believe the fans here deserve to experience a World Cup. Our team is young, and there’s so much room for growth in the future,” he said.
Reflecting on the match against Australia on Sept.10, Paes expressed his excitement about playing in front of around 70,000 spectators at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium in Jakarta. Paes made several impressive saves, helping the Garuda's maintain its unbeaten start in the third round of qualifiers.
“I am optimistic about the upcoming World Cups. There are many opportunities ahead, and it's wonderful to witness this firsthand. It's something I think about every day as I work toward that goal,” he concluded.
Despite Maarten Paes joining the Garuda Squad training camp in Bahrain, coach Shin said that Paes remains doubtful for the crucial match.
“The chances of him playing are still 70 percent. However, today and tomorrow, we will monitor the progress of his recovery,” he said on Tuesday.
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