The Indonesian National Team is still taking Maarten Paes to Saudi Arabia Although he cannot be delegated

The Indonesian National Team (Timnas) will continue to carry it Maarten Paes to Saudi Arabia even if it could not be played. Maarten joins the group to watch the Indonesian National Team match against Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia national team they will meet Saudi Arabia in the first match of Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asia Zone. The match will be held at King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 5 September 2024.

It is known that Maarten Paes cannot play in this match. Because the 26-year-old goalkeeper could not be registered in the team for the Indonesian national team against Saudi Arabia.

Registration for the game closed on August 5, 2024. Meanwhile, Maarten is sure to be able to defend the Indonesian National Team after winning a lawsuit at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 18, 2024.

However, it was confirmed that Maarten would still be taken by coach Shin Tae-yong to Saudi Arabia. This was confirmed by the Chairman of the National Team Organization (BTN), Sumardji.

“Maarten was summoned to Saudi Arabia,” Sumardji told MNC Portal Indonesia (MPI) through the WhatsApp message application, Friday (23/8/2024).

Sumardji also confirmed that Maarten could not be played because player registration for the game was closed. Most likely, Maarten was still taken to see his colleagues fighting in Saudi Arabia.

“Registration against Saudi Arabia (has) closed on August 5,” Sumardji said.

Even if he can’t play yet, this will be a valuable experience for Maarten Paes. The FC Dallas goalkeeper is likely to play when the Indonesian National Team meets Australia at SUGBK, Jakarta on 10 September 2024.

A member of the PSSI Executive Committee (Exco), Arya Sinulingga, had previously confirmed that Maarten could be registered for the match. Because, Arya said, player registration for the second to 10 third round matches can be done seven days before the match takes place.

(sto)