Indonesian goalkeeper Maarten Paes greets supporters after a 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier soccer match between Indonesia and Australia at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Sept. 10, 2024. Indonesia held Australia to a 0-0 draw in the match. (Antara/Aditya Pradana Putra)
T
he Indonesian national soccer team has received wide praise for holding top dog Australia to a draw in its second qualifying match for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night.
Indonesia held Australia 0-0 in front of almost 80,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium in Central Jakarta, withstanding Australia’s continuous efforts to break through its defense during the 90-minute match.
The draw gives each team one point toward qualification, allowing Indonesia to remain in the fourth rank in Group C for the third round of the World Cup’s Asian qualifiers with a total of two points. Australia, meanwhile, is sitting just below Indonesia in fifth place with one point.
The tie elicited a wave of appreciation from soccer fans across the country, few of whom could have expected the underdog national team would fare well against the heavily favored Australia. Indonesia ranks 133rd in soccer governing body FIFA’s world rankings, leagues below Australia in 24th.
It was Indonesia's second draw after tying 1-1 with Saudi Arabia last week. The Saudi team is coached by famed Italian manager Roberto Mancini.
“I’m satisfied seeing the team’s quality against Saudi Arabia and Australia. They’ve done their best,” Indonesia manager Shin Tae-yong said after the match.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo greeted the team at the stadium after watching the match.