FC Dallas goalkeeper Maarten Paes has been called up to Indonesia’s men’s national team for fourth-round World Cup qualifying matches against Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Indonesia will face Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at 12:15 p.m. CT at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Garuda will then play Iraq on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2:30 p.m. CT at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Paes will be unavailable for the FC Dallas match against the LA Galaxy on October 11.
With FC Dallas, Paes has appeared in 23 matches this year, recording 69 saves and three shutouts. He has started 114 games, tying Matt Jordan for the most starts by a goalkeeper in club history. Paes ranks 22nd in MLS in saves and sixth in opponents’ crosses punched away with 12.
Paes made his international debut with Indonesia during the September 2024 FIFA window, helping Garuda earn two points in Saudi Arabia and at home against Australia. He has eight international appearances and earned his first win on Nov. 19, 2024, against Saudi Arabia.
Indonesia finished third in their group during the third round of qualifying to move into the fourth-round of qualifying against Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The teams will play against each other once in a centralized venue. The winners of each group qualify for the World Cup, and the runners-up of each group advance to the fifth round.
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