Jakarta - Persib Bandung legend and former Indonesian national team player Atep assessed that the Indonesian national team had achieved a good result if they drew at Australia's home ground in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone, March 20.
Atep said that currently the Garuda team is still in a transition phase with new coach Patrick Kluivert handling it and cannot yet see the model and style of play that will be implemented in the national team.
"Yes, it's quite tough, because we have to travel to Australia. And Indonesia is also being handled by a new coach... even if we don't win (against Australia), a draw is enough in my opinion," Atep told ANTARA in Jakarta, Tuesday.
Atep, who also had ten appearances with the Garuda team, said that he could not yet clearly assess Kluivert's playing style because he had never assembled a squad since being appointed as coach in January.
"We also don't know yet what kind of playing style Patrick Kluivert will implement. Although several naturalized players, descendants who add to our strength, have come, but I can't see what it's like yet," said Atep, who had a taste of the Indonesian League title in 2014 with Maung Bandung.
"In the Shin Tae-yong era, we know what (his playing style) will be like. In the Patrick Bluepert era, we don't know yet, but the hope is that the public will still have great expectations," he added.
Jay Idzes and his friends will face a life-or-death match to continue competing for a ticket to the 2026 World Cup with four matches remaining in the current third round.