Jakarta, June 5, 2025 — The Europe Today: As China braces for a crucial FIFA World Cup qualifying clash against Indonesia at Jakarta’s formidable Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, national team head coach Branko Ivankovic says his players are mentally prepared to face the challenge of playing before nearly 80,000 fervent home fans.
Speaking at Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, Ivankovic stressed the importance of turning pressure into fuel.
“We are well aware of the pressure playing in Indonesia’s home stadium, and we’ve been preparing the players to turn that pressure into motivation,” he said. “Indonesia has strengthened its squad with naturalized players, making this a difficult match for us.”
The do-or-die match kicks off Thursday night at 9:45 p.m. Beijing time, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. China trails Indonesia by three points in Group C, and with a goal difference deficit of seven, only a win will keep their World Cup dreams alive.
Ivankovic emphasized team readiness despite lingering injury concerns around central defender Jiang Guangtai, who hasn’t played since sustaining an injury against Saudi Arabia in March.
“It’s not convenient to discuss individual players before the match,” Ivankovic said, sidestepping specific details. “Whether starting or coming off the bench, all players are prepared to meet the demands of the game.”
He also expressed hope that new squad members would rise to the occasion, especially those entering the 18-team final qualifying stage for the first time.
The match has drawn intense attention both domestically and internationally, with over 200 media representatives attending the pre-match briefing—a reflection of its high-stakes nature.
