Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesia national soccer team (Timnas Indonesia) made history on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, defeating Saudi Arabia 2-0 in a thrilling Group C match of the Third Round 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The game, held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (SUGBK) in Jakarta, saw Indonesia’s “Garuda” squad stun the 70,000-strong home crowd with a landmark performance.
Indonesia’s goals came courtesy of 19-year-old star Marselino Ferdinand, who scored twice in the 32nd and 57th minutes through expertly executed counterattacks. The Saudi struggled to respond to Indonesia’s defensive strategy and quick transitions, left with no equalizing goals until the match ended.
Under the tactical guidance of head coach Shin Tae-yong, Indonesia team opted for a defensive setup, relying on counterattacks to penetrate the Saudi defense. The strategy proved effective, as the Garuda squad managed six on-target shots, with brace’s from Marselino sealed their victory.
With this victory, Indonesia places third in Group C with six points, trailing Australia, currently in second place, by just one point. The win also caps a remarkable year for Indonesia soccer team, setting multiple records along the way.
Break Record of Never Winning Against Saudi Arabia
Tuesday’s match marked Indonesia’s first-ever victory over Saudi Arabia in an official competition. Before this, Indonesia had never secured three points against the Saudis in 13 encounters. The last time Indonesia earned a point was in a 1-1 draw in 1983 during the 1984 Olympic qualifiers.
Indonesia’s victory in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers breaking a long record of failing to secure points against Saudi Arabia in official competitions.
Indonesia Breaks New Ground Against FIFA Top 100 Teams
Indonesia’s victory over Saudi Arabia marked a significant achievement for the Garuda Squad, as they secured points against a team ranked within FIFA’s top 100. Indonesia held Ranked 56th globally Saudi Arabia to a draw in their last encounter, but this time, Indonesia claimed a decisive win.
In earlier matches of the 2026 Asian World Cup Qualifiers, Indonesia had demonstrated resilience against higher-ranked teams. The Garuda squad held Australia, ranked 25th, to a draw and managed the same result against Bahrain which ranked 76th.
Southeast Asia’s First Team to Reach Third Place
Indonesia has also made history by becoming the first Southeast Asian team to claim third place in the third round of Asia’s World Cup Qualifiers. While Thailand and Vietnam had previously reached this stage, neither managed to achieve such a high ranking.
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With six points so far, Indonesia has surpassed Vietnam’s record of four points in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. The Red and White still have four games remaining, including two crucial home matches against Bahrain and China, presenting further opportunities to extend their lead.
Highest FIFA Ranking in 13 Years
With this victory, Indonesia’s FIFA ranking is projected to rise from 130th to 127th, the nation’s highest position since 2011, when it reached 125th. Indonesia now boasts 1,135.10 FIFA points, continuing its remarkable upward trajectory. The Garuda squad has climbed 20 spots in just two years, a testament to the team’s development under Shin Tae-yong’s leadership.
A Nation Celebrates
Indonesia’s victory has sparked celebrations across the country, with fans praising the team’s resilience and strategy. As the Garuda squad aims for World Cup qualification, this historic win over Saudi Arabia underscores Indonesia’s potential on the international stage.
The Indonesia national soccer team will continue to face formidable opponents in the remaining Group C matches, but with renewed confidence and growing momentum, Indonesia is ready to soar even higher.
(Raidi/Agung)
