The Saudi national team was defeated by the Indonesian national team 2-0, in the sixth round match of the third stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Green entered the match with high morale after the draw in the last round with Australia, but things did not go as coach Herve Renard wanted and he suffered his first defeat in his second term.
Indonesia’s double came through Marcelino Ferdinand in the 32nd and 57th minutes, leaving Saudi Arabia in a very complicated position in the qualifiers.
منتخب إندونيسيا يسجل هدف التقدم على ضيفه منتخب السعودية
#التصفيات_الآسيوية#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/LVqT8mWphU— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 19, 2024
⚽️🔥 المنتخب الإندونيسي يعزز تقدمه بهدف ثانٍ في شباك المنتخب السعودي
#التصفيات_الآسيوية#AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/VUjsK7U0bs— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) November 19, 2024
At the same time, Japan defeated China 3-1, becoming one victory away from officially securing qualification to the 2026 World Cup.
With this victory, the Indonesian national team reached six points, tying with Saudi Arabia, China and Australia in second place, with 5 points for Bahrain.
Bahrain will meet Australia this evening, and if either of them wins, they will take the lead in the standings.
All options are wide open in this group, as only one team will qualify with Japan for the World Cup, which is the runner-up, while the third and fourth place teams will play in the fourth round of the qualifiers.
