JAKARTA – According to football observer Mohamad Kusnaeni, affectionately known as Bung Kus, the upcoming match against Iraq will be a pivotal “do-or-die” encounter for the Indonesia National Team in the ongoing 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. He emphatically stressed the critical importance of focusing on the players’ mental fortitude to ensure the Garuda squad delivers a maximum performance on the field.
“This match against Iraq is a must-win. The coaching staff and management need to pay special attention to the mental aspect of the game. It’s crucial to rebuild player confidence, and strengthen the team’s cohesion and unity, which might have been slightly disrupted,” Bung Kus stated when contacted by Republika on Saturday, October 11, 2025.
Following the restoration of player morale, Bung Kus believes head coach Patrick Kluivert must conduct a thorough evaluation of the weaknesses exposed during the previous match against Saudi Arabia. He highlighted that individual errors which presented opportunities for opponents must be eradicated, while the midfield needs significant enhancement to prevent Indonesia from losing the battle for ball possession.
Bung Kus also underscored the necessity of sharpening the team’s finishing ability. He observed that midfield creativity was notably lacking and appeared monotonous in the previous game, particularly during the first half against Saudi Arabia. To rectify the team’s performance, he advised Kluivert to be bold in altering the starting lineup, fielding only those players who are most prepared both mentally and physically.
“Verdonk must play to bolster the defense. Ole Romeny also needs to start from the beginning to ensure our attacks are more directed and incisive,” he added, emphasizing his player recommendations.
Furthermore, Bung Kus considers the 3-4-3 formation ideal, having proven its effectiveness in crucial matches. In this setup, he suggests Rizky Ridho and Justin Hubner could partner with Jay Idzes at the heart of the defense, while Kevin Diks occupies the right-back position and Verdonk takes the left. However, if Kluivert prefers to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation, Bung Kus sees no issue, provided both defensive flanks are strengthened by deploying Verdonk and Sandy Walsh.
He also advocated for a modification of the central midfield partnership. He believes Joey Pelupessy requires a complementary partner such as Thom Haye or Ricky Kambuaya, with Nathan Tjoe-A-On as a viable alternative.
“We indeed need to play more aggressively and offensively to secure a victory,” Bung Kus asserted. “However, maintaining composure and emotional maturity remains vital to ensure the team is not inadvertently harmed by rash decisions,” he concluded.
Summary
Football observer Mohamad Kusnaeni, known as Bung Kus, has characterized the upcoming match against Iraq as a pivotal “do-or-die” encounter for the Indonesia National Team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. He emphasized the critical importance of focusing on players’ mental fortitude, rebuilding confidence, and strengthening team cohesion to ensure maximum performance. Bung Kus believes addressing these psychological aspects is paramount for the Garuda squad’s success.
Following mental preparation, Bung Kus advised head coach Patrick Kluivert to thoroughly evaluate past weaknesses, eradicate individual errors, and significantly enhance midfield control and finishing ability. He recommended being bold with lineup changes, specifically suggesting Verdonk for defense and Ole Romeny for attack to make attacks more incisive. Bung Kus also proposed either a 3-4-3 formation or strengthening defensive flanks in a 4-2-3-1, along with specific midfield partnerships, while stressing the need for aggressive yet composed play.