On November 19, Indonesia defeated Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0, a victory that directly propelled Indonesia past Vietnam to become the team with the most points in the third stage of the World Cup qualifiers among Southeast Asian nations.
In their home stadium in Jakarta, under the guidance of head coach Shin Tae-yong, the Indonesian team delivered an inspiring performance. Facing the formidable Saudi Arabian team, Indonesia showed no fear and ultimately won the match with a 2-0 score, securing the third position in Group C of the Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
After six matches, Indonesia has accumulated 6 points, surpassing Vietnam’s record of 4 points set during the third stage of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. This achievement marks Indonesia as the best-performing Southeast Asian team in World Cup qualifiers. The victory is significant for Indonesian football, representing a major leap forward and instilling hope for qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
Currently, Indonesia shares 6 points with Australia, China, and Saudi Arabia, but leads China and Saudi Arabia due to a better goal difference. The competition in Group C has thus become even more intense and exciting, with each match potentially altering the group standings, creating great anticipation.
In this 90-minute battle, despite Saudi Arabia’s 77% possession and 23 shots on goal, they were unable to breach Indonesia’s defense and instead suffered a 0-2 defeat. For Saudi Arabia, this was a historic loss—their first ever to Indonesia, a result that came as a surprise.
Indonesia’s victory is not just a technical triumph but also a shining moment for the spirit of Southeast Asian football. It demonstrates that Southeast Asian football is continuously advancing and moving towards higher goals.
