Patrick Kluivert’s Smart Strategy to Tackle the Goalkeeper Injury Crisis: Here’s the Answer!

Bad news hits the Indonesian National Team ahead of the September 2025 FIFA Matchday. The star goalkeeper, Marten Paes, is confirmed to be out due to an injury sustained while playing for his MLS club. This heavy blow certainly poses a major challenge for the Garuda squad under the guidance of coach Patrick Kluivert.

When Did the Injury Occur?

Marten Paes suffered a hard collision injury during an MLS match last week. The medical team confirmed that he needs several weeks to recover. The news of Paes’s absence was officially announced by his club and PSSI early this week, forcing Kluivert to quickly find a replacement.

Remembering Marten Paes’s Short but Impressive Journey with the National Team

Paes’s absence is not just the loss of one player, but a key figure who has provided a sense of security in the backline. Officially naturalized in 2024, Paes immediately impressed since his debut against Tanzania. His quality as a modern goalkeeper with quick reflexes, good ball distribution, and solid communication made him the first choice. He was also crucial in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, making Indonesia’s defense much more stable.

The Major Impact of Paes’s Absence: Quality, Mentality, and Strategy

The loss of Paes brings significant impact:

1. Individual Quality: His experience in the Netherlands and MLS is irreplaceable in reading ball direction and maintaining focus.
2. Team Psychology: His presence instills confidence. Without him, potential anxiety could arise, especially when facing aggressive opponents.
3. Strategic Adjustment: Kluivert must change the defensive scheme and the way attacks are built from the backline, which previously utilized Paes’s distribution abilities.

Patrick Kluivert’s Brilliant Solution: Proving Squad Depth!

Although the situation is difficult, Patrick Kluivert does not want to dwell on worries. He sees this as a golden opportunity for local goalkeepers! Names like Ernando Ari Sutaryadi (Persebaya), Syahrul Trisna, and Nadeo Argawinata are ready to prove themselves.

Kluivert emphasized, “Losing Marten Paes is indeed difficult, but the Indonesian National Team is not just about one player. We have several other goalkeepers who are ready to show their quality. It’s time for them to take on greater responsibility.”

The good news is that Paes’s injury is not serious and he is expected to recover within 1-2 months. This means he will be ready to return for the next international agenda, including the continuation of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

This situation is indeed a challenge, but also an opportunity for Kluivert to test the depth of the squad. By giving other goalkeepers a chance, he can see who is ready to be an equal backup when Paes is unavailable. Losing Paes feels heavy, but this is a moment to prove that the Indonesian National Team has reliable squad depth!