Tae-young Shin beat Saudi Arabia 2-0 for Indonesia’s first win in World Cup qualifying.
Indonesia Secures Historic Victory Against Saudi Arabia
Indonesia’s national football team achieved a significant milestone by defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup. The match was held at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on November 19, 2024. This victory marked Indonesia’s first win in six qualifying matches.
With this win, Indonesia moved from last place to third in Group C, boosting its chances of advancing to the next round. The team now has 6 points, consisting of 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses.
Coach Shin Tae-yong, who took over the team in 2020, led Indonesia to its first victory at this stage of World Cup qualification. Indonesia’s win is its first-ever against Saudi Arabia, a dominant team in West Asian football.
In the same group, Japan maintained its lead by defeating China 3-1. They remain unbeaten in six matches, with 16 points. The current standings in Group C are as follows:
- Japan – 16 points
- Australia – 6 points (goal difference +1)
- Indonesia – 6 points (goal difference -3)
- Saudi Arabia – 3 points (goal difference -3)
- China – 6 points (goal difference -10)
- Bahrain – 5 points
Bahrain is just 1 point from the top four teams but has not yet played its sixth match.
Marcelino Ferdinand, an attacking midfielder from Oxford United, played a key role in Indonesia’s victory by scoring both goals. He scored the first goal in the 32nd minute after a counter-attack and added another at the 52nd minute during Saudi Arabia’s attempt to fight back.
Despite a red card for center back Justin Habner late in the match, Indonesia maintained its lead and secured the historic win.
Japan’s victory against China featured a standout performance by Koki Ogawa, who scored two goals. Ko Itakura added a third goal before China managed to score once.
Indonesia’s win creates a competitive atmosphere in Group C as they aim for a top position to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.