Thom Haye Discusses Importance of Indonesia vs Japan Match

Indonesia national team midfielder, Thom Haye, has emphasized the significance of the upcoming clash against Japan, despite the Garuda Squad being out of the race for direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The fixture, set to conclude Indonesia’s campaign in the third round of AFC qualifiers, carries symbolic value and competitive motivation for the squad.

“This match still means a lot for us as a team,” said Haye, who played a key role in midfield during the qualifying run.

Indonesia Secure Historic Fourth-Round Spot

Indonesia recently secured their spot in the fourth round of the Asian qualifiers after a narrow 1–0 win over China, courtesy of Ole Romeny’s well-taken penalty at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. It marked a milestone moment for the national side under Shin Tae-yong’s leadership.

The result placed Indonesia fourth in Group C with 12 points — a strong campaign by regional standards. However, their hopes of direct qualification were extinguished after Australia defeated Japan 1–0, leaving Indonesia mathematically out of contention.

Final Group Match Still Holds Meaning

Despite the stakes being reduced, Haye believes the match against Japan must be approached with full commitment.

“We need to show progress, pride, and keep building momentum,” he stated.

Head coach Shin Tae-yong, is expected to field a strong lineup to test Indonesia’s mettle against one of Asia’s elite footballing nations. The fixture is set to be a key opportunity for player development and team cohesion ahead of the decisive next round.