The Indonesian national team held Australia to a draw in the continuation of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian Zone. Garuda had been troublesome, holding the Socceroos to a 0-0 draw at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Tuesday (10/9).
Indonesia stubbornly held off their visitors’ attacks. The 0-0 score eventually remained unchanged until the referee ended the match.
Indonesia immediately threatened in the first minute! Sandy Walsh fired a low kick that was still blocked by Mat Ryan, the loose ball was then chased and finished by Rafael Struick but was again blocked.
Indonesia’s pressure continued. The cooperation between Calvin Verdonk and Nathan Tjoe-A-On on the left was still broken by the Australian defense.
Australia slowly came out of the pressure. Maarten Paes made two blocking attempts in the 20th minute, first blocking Jackson Irvine’s cross and then blocking Harry Souttar’s shot that had hit.
Paes returned to action in the 22nd minute. Souttar’s header welcoming a corner kick was secured by Paes out of the field.
Indonesia faced a serious threat in the 34th minute. Nestory Irankunda’s shot flew hard and hit the goal post. Shortly after, Craig Goodwin escaped on the left and his shot was blocked by Paes.
Indonesia had difficulty getting out of the pressure, several counter-attack attempts were easily thwarted by Australia. However, the score was kept at 0-0 in the first half.
Indonesia had a chance in the 55th minute, when Ragnar Oratmangoen cut Irankunda’s careless pass. Shadowed by Souttar, Oratmangoen’s shot was still blocked.
Indonesia tried to play more directly. Oratmangoen’s pass to Marselino was tried to be finished with a shot from the left side. His effort soared far from the goal.
Indonesia almost conceded. Australia built an attack from the middle. Awer Mabil’s pass was received by Adam Taggart and his shot was right at Paes!
Indonesia asked for a penalty in the 68th minute after Witan Sulaeman fell under pressure from Australian players. But the referee did not consider there was a violation.
Australia created a chance in the 77th minute. Mabil’s header from the cross fell to the right side of the Indonesian goal.
Indonesia made several counterattacks towards the end of the match, but the final decision was not careful enough to make this effort fail. Pratama Arhan’s pass to Ragnar was too far, while Witan failed to receive the ball in the penalty box perfectly.
No goals were scored until the match ended.
With this result, Indonesia did not move from the fourth position in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the third round. The Red and White Team now has two points, behind Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Bahrain. Australia is in fifth position with one point.
Next, the Garuda Squad will visit Bahrain’s home ground on October 10, 2024, then in the fourth match on October 15, Garuda will again visit China.
In November 2024, in the fifth match Indonesia will host Japan at home, and the sixth match will also host Saudi Arabia.
The seventh match, which will only start again on March 20, 2025, Indonesia will visit Australia. Then, the eighth match on March 25, 2025, Rizky Ridho and his friends will play at home against Bahrain.
Here is the next schedule for the Indonesian National Team in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, third round, Asian Zone:
October 10 – Bahrain vs Indonesia
October 15 – China vs Indonesia
November 14 – Indonesia vs Japan
November 19 – Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia
March 20 – Australia vs Indonesia
March 25 – Indonesia vs Bahrain
June 5 – Indonesia vs China
June 10 – Japan vs Indonesia
