Timnas Calling! Patrick Kluivert Summons Persija Duo Defenders to Indonesian National Team

Jakarta, August 21, 2025 – The Indonesian National Team, under the guidance of new coach, Patrick Kluivert, officially released a list of 32 players for two international friendly matches. From that list, two tough Persija Jakarta defenders, Rizky Ridho and Jordi Amat, were among the summoned names.

This announcement was made through Persija Jakarta’s official Instagram account on Thursday (21/8/2025), and also brought good news for Jakmania who have witnessed their solid performance in Liga 1 this season.

Indonesian National Team Friendly Matches

The Garuda squad is scheduled to undergo two international friendly matches next month:

• Indonesia vs Kuwait – September 5, 2025
• Indonesia vs Lebanon – September 8, 2025

Both matches will be Kluivert’s first test in assembling the team after officially being appointed as head coach.

Rizky Ridho: Young Pillar with High Consistency

Rizky Ridho Ramadhani, a 23-year-old center-back, is now one of the best local talents in Liga 1. This season with Persija Jakarta, he has appeared in almost every match with high playing minutes. His consistency makes him irreplaceable in the heart of Macan Kemayoran’s defense.

Ridho’s professional career began with Persebaya Surabaya. Despite being very young, he was once trusted to wear the captain’s armband. In the 2023/2024 season, he decided to move to Persija and immediately became a regular starter, forming a strong defensive duo with Jordi Amat.

Ridho’s playing style is supported by strong aerial duels thanks to his 183 cm height, discipline in guarding his area, and calmness in reading the game. He dares to take on the role of organizing the backline, with excellent stamina that makes him rarely injured.

His international experience is also quite mature. He has defended the U-19 and U-23 National Teams in the AFF Cup and SEA Games, then made his senior debut in 2021. To date, Ridho has collected more than 20 caps, including an excellent performance when holding Thailand to a draw in the AFF Cup. This season, he recorded 14 Liga 1 appearances with more than 1,200 minutes, seven clean sheets, and a successful duel ratio reaching 68 percent.

Jordi Amat: European Experience for Garuda

Jordi Amat, a 33-year-old naturalized defender, brings long experience from Europe to Indonesian football. Born in Canet de Mar, Spain, Amat was forged in the Espanyol academy and debuted in La Liga at the age of 17. He has defended Espanyol, Rayo Vallecano, and Real Betis, then experienced the Premier League with Swansea City, before moving to K.A.S. Eupen in Belgium.

After a successful period with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Malaysia, Amat finally docked at Persija Jakarta in 2025. Since his arrival, Persija’s defense has become more solid, with him acting as a tempo setter and mentor for young players like Rizky Ridho. Their duo even earned the nickname “steel wall” from national media.

Since his naturalization was completed in 2022, Amat has strengthened the Indonesian National Team in the 2022 AFF Cup and the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian Zone. The European experience he brings makes him a leader in Garuda’s backline. With more than 300 matches at the European club level, Amat is considered an important figure who can transmit a winning mentality to Indonesia’s young squad.

Can These Two Garudas Become Pillars in the Next Event?

Rizky Ridho represents a young generation full of energy, while Jordi Amat brings experience and calmness. This duo is an ideal combination of successor and mentor, who, if consistent, can be the foundation of Garuda’s defense in future official events.

However, competition remains tight. Names like Elkan Baggott and Fachruddin Aryanto also continue to compete. Therefore, the main test for Ridho and Amat is to prove that their solid performance at Persija can be consistently translated to the international level. Patrick Kluivert emphasized that the summoning of Ridho and Amat was not without reason. He saw that both were able to provide a balance between youthful energy and senior experience.

“Rizky Ridho played fantastic, impressive, and did his job well. He deserves to be in the national team and has a bright future,” Kluivert said, praising Persija’s young defender.

Kluivert also believes that Amat’s presence can have a positive influence in the locker room. “With his experience in Europe, Jordi Amat can be an example and provide calmness for young players,” he added.

The summoning of Rizky Ridho and Jordi Amat by Patrick Kluivert marks the seriousness of the Dutch coach in building Garuda’s defense. With the combination of Ridho’s youthful spirit and Amat’s experience, the Indonesian National Team has strong capital to face Kuwait and Lebanon, and look forward to upcoming international events with more confidence.