The new Garuda goalkeeper tells FIFA World Cup 2026 of his love for Indonesia, his attachment to his teammates, and the goal of recurring the side to the FIFA World Cup. For somebody who only made his worldwide debut last month, the new Indonesia worldwide Maarten Paes previously has a significant online subsequent. As is the case with most Garuda stars, fans idolize him, after his daily activities both at club and worldwide level and he’s previously gathered close to two million supporters on Instagram.
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Born in Nijmegen and a Netherlands childhood global up to the U-21 level, Paes’ allegiances now lie with Indonesia. Drumming into family ties through his grandma, who was innate in the city of Kediri and lived there for numerous years before the outbreak of World War II, the towering goalkeeper is the modern in a long list of enfranchised Garuda stars.
“The connection with Indonesia comes through my grandmother. She was a very special person in my life. My grandparents were my godparents, Paes explained when discussing his Indonesian roots in an exclusive interview with FIFA 2026. My grandmother always taught me about Indonesian culture. I’ve known for a few years I was eligible to play for the Indonesian national team.”
Maarten Paes Memorable Indonesia Debut
“At the end of last year, the [Indonesian Federation] PSSI approached me, around the time that my grandmother’s health was rapidly declining. That was one of our last memories together. The news that I would be playing for Indonesia made her smile for the last time. I saw how special it was when I told her. In the end, it was an easy decision. She passed away earlier this year so she didn’t get to see my debut.” Said by Paes.
After a long process to formalize his eligibility, the 26-year-old lastly made his debut in a 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia in the third round of Asian finalists for FIFA World Cup 2026 on 5 September.
A solid presentation in an impressive 1-1 draw in Jeddah was sponsored five days later with a scoreless clash in contradiction of Australia in the cauldron of the Gelora Bung Karno arena in Jakarta. Where a string of imposing saves from Paes helped preserve the Garuda’s undefeated start to the third round of contestants.
“As you’d expect, I was curious about my new teammates, how they would react and respond to situations, but I think we bonded quickly, Paes said. In both games, I was able to make a lot of saves, stopping a lot of good shots. I think, overall, as a team, we were strong defensively. It was truly incredible, especially in the second match in Jakarta, with 80,000 fans in the stands. They gave so much energy that it wasn’t hard to give our all.”
Paes Embracing Challenges with Indonesia
Succeeding those two unresolved performances, Paes previously feels like a player who has been on the Indonesian side for years, in spite of certain linguistic and social barriers.
“The difference in cultures is not that significant for me. There are many things in common, I believe, with how I live my life and how the culture is there, Paes explained. I think the biggest challenge for me is the flight time and adapting to the time difference. In two days, sometimes you have to play straight away. That’s a huge challenge. But fortunately, I’ve been ready for it.”
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“I have a great team around me who help me deal with those issues. And I think, yeah, I’m up for the challenge. For me, that was the only real problem. Everything else has gone smoothly, and I’m enjoying learning the language too. I think in the next few months, everything will get even easier.” Said by Paes.
Paes Aiming for FIFA World Cup 2026 Glory with Indonesia
Like all footballers, Paes, on the books of MLS side FC Dallas, has large thoughts of playing on the FIFA World Cup 2026 stage, and that’s something he’s determined to achieve with Indonesia.
“I think it’s a beautiful dream. We need to have big goals, to reach for the stars. For me, the FIFA World Cup 2026 being in the USA will be even more special, having lived here and seen how the league and the popularity of football are growing in this country,” Paes explained.
“I think it’s something the fans here really deserve to experience a Football World Cup. And I think if you look at our team, how young it is, there’s so much potential for growth in the future. I believe we can look forward to the next few World Cups. There are many opportunities for us and it’s truly wonderful to witness this firsthand. It’s something you think about every day as you work towards that goal.” Paes said that.
Bahrain and Indonesia right-angled off on Thursday in what is a critical fixture in their efforts to be suitable for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Sitting in third and fourth correspondingly in Group B in the third round of AFC succeeding, one of these nations can take a step earlier to guarantee a minimum of a fourth-round spot with conquest in Riffa.
FIFA World Cup 2026 being extended to 48 teams, states such as Bahrain and Indonesia have been left to dream of hitting themselves in contention for a spot on the major stage. Both of these teams have been obtainable with a far tougher task than they may have been with Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia in their collection.
Bahrain and Indonesia Key FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
However, Bahrain causing repercussions on the Gold Coast with a 1-0 victory in Australia has surprised this six-nation group up, Australia is now without achievement in two games. Bahrain then lost 5-0 at home to Japan in their subsequent contest, yet sitting in third spot after two sports with home matches against Indonesia and China to come in their following three outings is arguably a vision scenario.
Dragan Talajic’s side gathered at least three points from that double-header, they will continue very much in the hunt for a top-four advert, which would assure progression to the next round. In their last nine matches in all rivalries, Bahrain has suffered just two conquests, both of which have come at the indicators of Japan. Australia Seeks First Win Against China in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
Adversaries Indonesia are also in excellent form having only knowledgeable one defeat in their most recent encounters in all rivalries. That came to Iraq in June, yet they have since answered with draws against the likes of Saudi Arabia and Australia in this collection.
Football World Cup: Shin’s Tactical Dilemma Ahead of Key Matches
Keeping a clean sheet in the latter would have completed their rivals in the group take note that Shin Tae-yong’s side is accomplished by extending their participation in this succeeding campaign. Shin must decide whether to tinker with his Bahrain XI, it not unavoidably being a simple decision to change companies who started a 5-0 overthrow.
Indonesia was not helped by Ali Madan and Ali Haram consuming to be withdrawn before the start of the second half, four of the goals that they approved coming after those two replacements. With the same 11 players that ongoing the Japan game available for this fixture, Shin may go with an inviolate lineup.
FIFA World Cup 2026: As for Indonesia, the nonappearance of Justin Hubner may lead to Wahyu Prasetyo being transported into the team, providing that Talajic sticks with a back five. However, FC Twente defender Mees Hilgers could be recruited into the defense for his debut given his knowledge of the Eredivisie.
Though Bahrain lost heavily last time out, we cannot overlook that they achieved to defeat Australia in their first game on away land. With that in mind, we are supporting a narrow home victory in Riffa, which would keep them in the top three at a bare minimum.
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