Indonesia's 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta on Tuesday has sparked renewed optimism about their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Marselino Ferdinan scored both goals to secure Indonesia's first win in the third phase of Asian qualifiers. This result boosts their hopes of making their first World Cup appearance since 1938, when they competed as the Dutch East Indies. Coach Shin Tae-yong, formerly of South Korea, expressed that the players are now filled with confidence, which could propel them toward their goal of qualification.
Shin outlined his initial aim to finish third or fourth in the group, and with the win, Indonesia moved up to third place in Group C, just one point behind Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China. The victory, according to Shin, has fueled the players' determination to continue improving as they face two more home games in the coming weeks. He remains optimistic about their chances of securing a place in the next round of the qualifiers, where the top two teams will qualify automatically, and the third and fourth-place teams will compete for a chance at the remaining berths.
This victory lifted Indonesia off the bottom of Group C, currently led by Japan, who are nine points clear of second-placed Australia. Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China are all closely packed, with only a point separating them. The competition is fierce, and with two rounds left, Indonesia is determined to fight for one of the top spots. Securing a spot in the final round of qualifying will allow them to continue their push toward World Cup qualification, a feat they have not achieved in nearly nine decades.
For Saudi Arabia, the defeat in Jakarta marked another setback in their World Cup campaign. Under coach Herve Renard, who replaced Roberto Mancini last month, the Saudis have struggled to find form, failing to score in their last two matches. Renard acknowledged the team's difficulties and expressed disappointment with their performance. Despite this, he remains hopeful that Saudi Arabia can finish in second place in the group and qualify for the next stage of the qualifiers.
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