Maarten Paes faces a difficult period at Ajax Amsterdam after helping the Indonesian national team secure the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 title, viva.co.id reported Friday. Despite his international success, the 28-year-old goalkeeper has struggled to secure regular playing time with the Dutch club since returning from tournament duty.
Ajax Bench Role for Maarten Paes
The transition from international champion to club backup highlights a stark contrast in the player’s current career trajectory. Paes played a decisive role in Indonesia’s victorious FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 campaign, anchoring the defense throughout the tournament. Upon returning to Amsterdam, however, the 28-year-old has found himself outside the regular starting lineup for Ajax Amsterdam. Club management and coaching staff have yet to integrate the returning goalkeeper into consistent league action, leaving his immediate club future uncertain.
Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders Face Persib Contract Expiration
Persib Bandung confronts the imminent risk of losing two high-profile players without a transfer fee as contract expiration dates approach. Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders both see their current deals wind down toward the conclusion of the 2026/2027 season. December 1 stands out as a critical juncture for club executives attempting to secure extensions before the players gain eligibility to negotiate with outside clubs. The potential departure of both national team contributors would significantly alter Persib Bandung’s roster depth for upcoming domestic campaigns.
Questions About Recent Indonesian Football Developments
- What tournament did Maarten Paes win with Indonesia?
- Maarten Paes helped the Indonesian national team win the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 before returning to Ajax Amsterdam.
- Why is December 1 critical for Persib Bandung?
- December 1 marks a crucial deadline regarding the expiring contracts of Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders, who face potential departure from Persib Bandung on free transfers for the 2026/2027 season.
- Which player is the focus of Shin Tae-yong’s tactical man-marking?
- Persija Jakarta coach Shin Tae-yong prepared specific man-marking tactics to contain Persita Tangerang’s attacking midfielder, Rayco Rodriguez Medina.
The league standings saw Persib Bandung briefly climb to 16th place before the ranking was surpassed by clubs from Cambodia.

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