Elkan Baggott Hints at Return to Indonesia National Team

Elkan Baggott, currently playing for Blackpool, has hinted at a potential return to the Indonesia national team. The player recently reflected on his experiences with the national team, including his time in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, where Indonesia made history by qualifying for the tournament after a 16-year wait. Baggott expressed how significant this achievement was for him personally and for the country, recalling the crucial matches that led to their qualification, such as the team's 2-1 win over Kuwait and their dominant 7-0 victory against Nepal.

Despite his impactful performances with the national team, Baggott was not called up for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in January 2024 and faced some tensions with head coach Shin Tae-yong, particularly when he did not join the U-23 team for the 2024 Olympic qualifiers. However, with the appointment of Patrick Kluivert as the new national team coach, Baggott’s chances of returning to the national squad seem promising. The national team is preparing for the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Indonesia will face China and Japan in June 2025.

As Indonesia looks ahead to these key matches, fans are eager to see if Baggott will be called up by Kluivert, given his prior contributions and the current gap in the team's defense. The possibility of Baggott rejoining the squad has sparked excitement, and it remains to be seen if the coach will rely on him for the upcoming qualifiers.