Indonesian National Team Surpasses Vietnam and Thailand in ...
November 20, 2024 | 11:06 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team exceeded the achievements of Vietnam and Thailand in the World Cup Qualifiers Asia zone third round after defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Tuesday night.
Winning against Saudi Arabia earned Indonesia six points out of six matches in the 2026 Asia zone World Cup Qualifiers third round, placing them third in the temporary Group C standings.
The six points achieved by the Garuda squad made Indonesia the most successful Southeast Asian country in the Asia zone World Cup Qualifiers third round, surpassing Vietnam and Thailand.
In the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Asia zone Group B third round, Vietnam managed to secure a total of four points from 10 matches by drawing against Japan and defeating China.
Meanwhile, in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Asia zone Group B third round, Thailand secured two points from 10 matches by drawing against Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
The achievements of the Shin Tae-yong-led squad in this Asia zone World Cup Qualifiers third round can still be improved, especially since Calvin Verdonk and his colleagues still have four more matches to go.
Furthermore, Indonesia also has the opportunity to become the first Southeast Asian country to advance to the fourth round of the World Cup Qualifiers if they ultimately finish third or fourth in the final standings.
Moreover, Indonesia could compete in the World Cup again after last participating in the 1938 edition when it was still known as the Dutch East Indies, if they manage to conclude the qualifiers in the top two positions.
Next, the Indonesian national team is scheduled to play the remaining Group C matches in the 2026 Asia zone World Cup Qualifiers against Australia (March 20, 2025), Bahrain (March 25, 2025), China (June 5, 2025), and Japan (June 10, 2025).
Summary of Group C Results in the 2026 Asia Zone World Cup Qualifiers
September 5, 2024Japan 7-0 ChinaAustralia 0-1 BahrainSaudi Arabia 1-1 Indonesia.
September 10, 2024China 1-2 Saudi ArabiaIndonesia 0-0 AustraliaBahrain 0-5 Japan.
October 10, 2024Australia 3-1 ChinaBahrain 2-2 IndonesiaSaudi Arabia 0-2 Japan.
Tuesday, October 15, 2024Japan vs Australia 1-1China vs Indonesia 2-1Saudi Arabia vs Bahrain 0-0.
November 14, 2024Australia vs Saudi Arabia 0-0Bahrain vs China 0-1.
November 15, 2024Indonesia vs Japan 0-4.
November 19, 2024China vs Japan 1-3 Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia 2-0 Bahrain vs Australia 2-2.
Group C Standings in the 2026 Asia Zone World Cup Qualifiers
NoCountryMatchesWinsGoalsPoints1Japan6422-2162Australia616-573Indonesia616-964Saudi Arabia613-665Bahrain615-1066China626-166.
After playing 10 matches, the top two teams in the standings will qualify for the final round of the 2026 World Cup. The third and fourth-placed teams will fight again in the fourth round to secure additional final round tickets. Meanwhile, the fifth and sixth-placed teams will be eliminated.
So, what are Indonesia's chances of qualifying? The chances are now very much open. With four matches remaining, including home matches, Indonesia still has the chance to finish in third or fourth place and compete in the fourth round.
Indonesia's Remaining Schedule in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers:
March 20, 2025Australia vs Indonesia
March 25, 2025Indonesia vs Bahrain
June 5, 2025Indonesia vs China
June 10, 2025Japan vs Indonesia.
Editor's Choice: Erick Thohir Hails Indonesian National Team After Beating Saudi Arabia 2-0; Talks About Tactical Changes & Qualification Chances
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