Holiday Ayo - Indonesian national team coach Patrick Kluivert expressed deep regret after his team suffered a dramatic 2-3 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

Kluivert acknowledged two mistakes made by the Indonesian national team in the loss to Saudi Arabia.

This defeat makes the national team's progress to the 2026 World Cup even more difficult.

Indonesia took an early lead against Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, early Thursday (October 9th) WIB. Kevin Diks' penalty in the 11th minute gave the Garuda squad the upper hand.

However, the national team then struggled under Saudi Arabia's pressure and movement. The hosts came back with goals from Abu Al Shamat and a brace from Feras Al Brikan.

The national team managed to narrow the deficit through Diks' second penalty, but could not avoid defeat.

Patrick Kluivert lamented the team's failure to maintain momentum and their loss of control under Saudi Arabian pressure.

On a tactical level, he admitted the national team lacked compactness and aggressiveness in protecting gaps.

This was what the Saudi Arabian players exploited to create combinations and penetrate.

"I don't think we guarded the space between our lines well, allowing their wingers to penetrate and penetrate our defense," Kluivert said after the match, as reported by CNN Indonesia.

"I don't think we were able to maintain control of the game after taking a 1-0 lead. Then we conceded an easy goal, and that shouldn't have happened," he added.

Kluivert also came under scrutiny for several of his decisions, one of which was playing Yakob Sayuri at right-back in a four-man defense.

Sayuri was exploited thoroughly by Saudi Arabia, leading to the second and third goals.