Wrist Injury, Indonesian National Team Goalkeeper Threatened with Absence from World Cup Qualifiers

 Fanisha Tita K (30802200016)

Indonesian national team goalkeeper Maarten Paes during the match against Australia in the second match 

of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian Zone at the Gelora Bung Karo Main Stadium, 

Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (10/9/2024). (Bola.com/Bagaskara Lazuardi)

How serious is Maarten Paes' injury?

JAKARTA - The Indonesian National Team suffered a heavy blow ahead of a crucial match against Bahrain in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone. Maarten Paes, the mainstay goalkeeper for the Indonesian National Team who also plays for the Major League Soccer (MLS) club FC Dallas, reportedly suffered a wrist injury.

 

This surprising news was announced by FC Dallas via their official social media accounts on Thursday (10/10/2024). "Goalkeeper Maarten Paes is out tonight due to a minor wrist injury," the club wrote on the X platform.

 

This injury occurred at a very unfortunate time, right when Paes was scheduled to join the Indonesian National Team squad after completing his last match with FC Dallas against the Portland Timbers. Instead, Jimmy Maurer was trusted to guard the FC Dallas goal, while Antonio Carrera was promoted to the bench.

 

Before suffering the injury, Paes had expressed his optimism about the Indonesian National Team's chances in the international arena. "I am sure we can advance to the 2026 World Cup and will make the Indonesian people proud," Paes said in a previous interview with FCDallas.com.

 

Although Paes' injury is a serious obstacle, the Indonesian national team coach is expected to immediately make a decision regarding Paes' replacement to face Bahrain on Thursday, as well as the match against China five days later.

 

The presence of Paes, who has played twice for the Indonesian national team, will certainly be greatly missed. However, this injury also opens up an opportunity for other goalkeepers to show off and prove themselves on the international stage. The Indonesian football community is now waiting for further news regarding Paes' condition and the strategy that will be taken by the Indonesian national team coaching team to face the tough challenges ahead.