KBRN, Jakarta: The Indonesian National Team defender Asnawi Mangkualam has confirmed his withdrawal from the ASEAN All-Stars squad. This news was directly announced by Asnawi's club, Port FC, on Monday, May 26, 2025.

"Asnawi Mangkualam has withdrawn from the ASEAN All-Stars squad. Asnawi has been called up to the Indonesian national team, which has an important program in the 2026 Asia World Cup Qualifiers in early June," Port FC was quoted on the club's official Instagram on Monday, May 26, 2025.

The ASEAN All-Stars team was scheduled to face English giant club Manchester United (MU) in an Asian tour match. The ASEAN All-Stars vs. MU duel is set to take place at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Malaysia, on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Asnawi Mangkualam was previously one of Indonesia's representatives called to reinforce the ASEAN All-Stars against MU. However, Asnawi has now chosen to focus on strengthening the Indonesian National Team after his name was included in the squad list to face China and Japan next June.

Asnawi Mangkualam's personal Instagram Story showed him already in Bali to join the Indonesian National Team's training camp. The former PSM Makassar player must deliver his best performance to make it into the main squad coached by Patrick Kluivert.

Asnawi faces tough competition from European-based players like Kevin Diks and Eliano Reijnders for the right wing-back position. Out of the 32 players called up for the training camp, Kluivert will only register 23 players for the final squad.

The Indonesian National Team will play their last two matches in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers (Asia zone), facing China and Japan. Indonesia will first host China at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Thursday, June 5, 2025, before traveling to Japan five days later. ***

Translator: Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala

Editor: Sri Wahyuni