2 Key Players of the Indonesian National Team Absent Against Australia, Who Will Replace Them?

Kapanlagi.com - The brilliant victory of the Indonesian National Team over Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0 at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Tuesday night (19/11/2024) has created a wave of euphoria among football fans in the country. Two brilliant goals from Marselino Ferdinan not only brought the Garuda squad to victory but also propelled them to third place in the temporary standings of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

However, amid the cheers of victory, less encouraging news has emerged ahead of the crucial duel against Australia in March 2025. The Indonesian National Team must face a tough challenge with the absence of two key players, Justin Hubner and Ragnar Oratmangoen, who are forced to sit out due to accumulated yellow cards. The loss of these two important pillars is certainly a blow to coach Shin Tae-yong, especially as the competition in the group becomes increasingly intense.

Nevertheless, this South Korean coach remains optimistic and is ready to utilize alternative strategies to cover these deficiencies. With high fighting spirit, the Indonesian National Team is expected to face this challenge and continue moving towards their World Cup dreams.

1. Chronology of the Indonesian National Team's Victory over Saudi Arabia

The thrilling match between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia became the main highlight for the Garuda National Team, which is eager to solidify their position in Group C.

In front of tens of thousands of fanatic supporters, the squad coached by Shin Tae-yong displayed an outstanding performance from the start, with Marselino Ferdinan shining as the hero of victory thanks to his two spectacular goals—the first coming from a stunning individual effort in the 32nd minute, and the second from a perfectly executed assist in the 57th minute.

This glorious victory propelled Indonesia past three giants of Asian football: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China, in the interim standings of Group C.

However, behind the euphoria, there is a price to pay, as several key players received yellow cards that could pose a challenge in upcoming matches.

2. Reasons for the Absence of Justin Hubner and Ragnar Oratmangoen

Justin Hubner had to swallow a bitter pill after receiving a red card due to two yellow cards he received in the second half while trying to stop a Saudi Arabian attack with a foul deemed quite harsh by referee Rustam Lutfullin.

Meanwhile, Ragnar Oratmangoen also had to feel the same impact, receiving a yellow card that was an accumulation of previous fouls, forcing him to miss the crucial match against Australia.

The loss of these two key pillars is certainly a big challenge for coach Shin Tae-yong, considering their vital roles in the team's defense and attack.

3. The Impact of Key Player Absences on Team Strategy

The absence of Justin Hubner, the tough defender who has been the backbone of the defense, forces the Indonesian National Team to seek suitable alternatives. On the other hand, Ragnar Oratmangoen is ready to be the driving force of the attack with his stunning creativity.

Coach Shin Tae-yong is now increasingly optimistic thanks to the squad depth bolstered by naturalized players like Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, along with the nearly completed naturalization process of Ole Romeny, providing new hope in the front line.

Player rotation strategies and formation adjustments will be the main weapons in facing Australia, in order to maintain game stability even without the two main pillars.

4. Focus on New Players and Naturalization Opportunities

Kevin Diks and Mees Hilgers, two naturalization stars who have joined, are expected to become the backbone for Shin Tae-yong in the upcoming matches. With their experience in European leagues, both are ready to bring a fresh perspective to the National Team's game.

Not only that, if Ole Romeny's naturalization process goes smoothly, he could become a very valuable addition to the attacking line, replacing the role of Ragnar Oratmangoen who has to be absent.

The coach also has the opportunity to optimize young talents like Marselino Ferdinan, who has impressed with his performance against Saudi Arabia.

5. Optimism Amid Challenges

Although they have to let go of two of their main pillars, the Indonesian National Team remains optimistic in facing the challenges in Group C, thanks to Shin Tae-yong's expertise in optimizing the team's potential amid difficulties.

The incredible support from loyal fans also fuels the players' spirit to show their best performance when facing Australia.

With several months left for preparation, careful strategy and thorough preparation will be key for the Garuda squad to compete competitively in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

(kpl/rmt)