Kluivert tells Indonesia to learn from Japan thrashing in World Cup hunt
Patrick Kluivert has taken Indonesia to the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for next year's World Cup (PAUL MILLER)
Patrick Kluivert told his wounded Indonesia side they must learn from their embarrassing 6-0 thrashing by Japan as they attempt to reach the World Cup for the first time as an independent country.
Indonesia's dreams of appearing at their first finals since gaining independence in 1945 are still alive after they finished fourth in Asian qualifying Group C.
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They join Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Asian champions Qatar in October's fourth qualifying round, with the draw to be made next month.
The winners of the two three-team groups will advance to next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Netherlands and Barcelona great Kluivert admitted that Group C winners Japan were "a size too big" for his team in Osaka on Tuesday.
"We need to learn from this big defeat," said the 48-year-old, who took over midway through the third qualifying round.
"We're very disappointed, of course, but we have to be prepared for the fourth round, and for me now the most important thing is to look back post-match, learn from it and look forward to the fourth round."
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Indonesia were already guaranteed a place in the fourth round after beating China 1-0 in Jakarta last week.
They were outclassed by a Japan team who booked their World Cup place with three games to spare and ended the third round with 30 goals from 10 matches.
Kluivert was not helped by a first-half injury to forward Kevin Diks, whose replacement Yakob Sayuri was then substituted 15 minutes later after a clash of heads.
Kluivert said Japan were too good for Indonesia but they had to "admit this and carry on".
"We tried our best but it wasn't enough," he said.
"It was the quality of the players that Japan has in this team. We can talk a lot about it but that's the fact, that Japan was a size too big for us this evening."
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-15-Year-Old Arisa Trew from Palm Beach, Australia, Claims Gold in Women's Skateboard Vert, Ties All-Time Record for Most X Games Gold Medals in Women's Skateboarding at 6 Medals-30-Year-Old Ryan Williams from Sunshine Coast, Australia, Takes Gold in BMX Park Best Trick-Monster Energy Riders Claim 8 Medals (2 Gold, 2 Silver, 4 Bronze) on Day 1 of X Games Osaka OSAKA, Japan, June 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bringing the heat to X Games Japan! Monster Energy congratulates its team of BMX, Moto X, and Skateboarding athletes on their history-making performances on the first day of X Games Osaka 2025. On Saturday, Monster Energy riders claimed a total of eight medals (two gold, two silver, and four bronze) across five contest events inside the Kyocera Dome stadium. The Women's Skateboard Vert final saw 15-year-old Arisa Trew from Palm Beach, Australia, take the gold medal with a dominant performance to claim her sixth gold at X Games. 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Also rising to the podium, Monster Army rider Asahi Kaihara claimed the silver medal in front of a hometown crowd. After losing the handle on her first run of the final, it all came down to the final run for Kaihara. Putting it all on the line, Kaihara landed a stylish run featuring huge frontside body varial benihana, Madonna, backside Saran Wrap, kickflip Indy, backside method air, frontside nosegrind lipslide, frontside noseblunt, feeble grind fakie, fakie frontside pop shove-it stalefish, frontside body varial tailgrab, and lien tailslide scoring 79.00 points for second place. Kaihara now owns three X Games medals (one silver and two bronze). BMX Park: French Team Rider Anthony Jeanjean Claims Bronze as First X Games Medal The podium spots continued in the competitive BMX Park final. After a grueling playoffs round, multiple BMX Park World Champion, Anthony Jeanjean claimed bronze as his first X Games medal in the final. 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After a 30-minute session, Team Monster Energy claimed another victory as well as a podium spot in front of the high-energy crowd. Leading the charge, Ryan Williams unveiled one of his notorious trick creations to take the victory. A technical frontflip flair tailwhip on the quarterpipe earned 'R Willy' his second gold medal in the BMX Park Best Trick discipline, and the crowd went wild! "From the start to the finish, I was trying to get my trick, but all the boys just started throwing down left and right. Everyone just kept sending it, and I thought, there's no way I'm going to be able to hang on to this. So stoked it worked out!" said Monster Energy's Williams upon claiming Best Trick gold in Osaka. Williams now owns 11 X Games medals (Nine gold and two silver). He has won X Games gold medals in four different disciplines. Also claiming a medal for the team, Kevin Peraza emerged from the progression session in the bronze medal position by landing a never-been-done-in-competition trick: Taking his skills to the large centerpiece box obstacle, Peraza finessed a flair downwhip to fakie, landing backwards to increase the difficulty for third place. "It's crazy. Most of us came into this knowing that we have another major X Games next week in the States. Should we roll the dice, should we try something? Or should we keep it clean and healthy? But the course was perfect, so why not get it done now. The crowd was so good, and the energy was great," said Monster Energy's Peraza upon claiming bronze in Osaka. Peraza now owns 12 X Games medals (seven gold, three silver, and two bronze) Moto X Best Trick: Australia's Ben Richards Claims Silver Medal as Youngest Competitor A big first day at X Games Osaka 2025 ended with a major upset in the Moto X Best Trick final. In a field of record-setting athletes and multiple X Games champions, Ben Richards dropped in as the youngest competitor and clinched silver as his first career X Games medal. On his first run of the final, Richards secured his podium spot by landing an ultra-rare handlebar hop variation known as Special Flip – performing a 360 body varial in his seat while in the air – for 91.00 points and the silver medal. Today's silver marks the first X Games medal for Richards in what is now his fourth appearance in the event. Richards' closest competition was no other than the most decorated rider in Moto X Best Trick, Jackson Strong. On his first run of the final, Strong put down a technical frontflip seat grab Indy for 90.00 points and the bronze medal, boosting his record-setting medal count to 18 total. Strong now owns 18 X Games medals (eight gold, six silver, and four bronze). Closely finishing outside of podium contention, Japanese style icon Taka Higashino stoked the hometown crowd with a classic performance and finished in fourth place. His highest-scoring trick of the final, a Rock Solid Indy Flip, earned 86.66 points. That's it for day one! Stay tuned for more X Games Osaka 2025! X Games is live all weekend, available to watch on the official X Games YouTube page. Visit for exclusive updates from X Games Osaka 2025, including photos, videos, and contest results as they happen. Follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. For interview or photo requests, contact Kim Dresser. About Monster Energy Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes, and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life lived by athletes, bands, believers, and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at CONTACT: Kim Dresser C: (949) 300-5546 E: Day 1 Video Highlights View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Monster Energy Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
