Indonesia national team near to qualify to 4th round after beating China national team scoring 1-0 in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian Qualifiers Round 3 Group C at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta.
The clash kicked off with intensity, and it was Indonesia who signaled their intent early. Just two minutes in, Ricky Kambuaya tried his luck from range, but his effort fizzed just wide. However, China PR, knowing only victory would keep their playoff hopes alive, responded swiftly through teenage debutant Wang Yudong, whose burst on the counter nearly gave the visitors an early lead.
Indonesia, though, carried the greater attacking threat. Egy Maulana Vikri orchestrated a slick move, slipping in Yakob Sayuri, whose cutback was cleared in the nick of time. Shortly after, Ole narrowly missed with a driven effort that beat the goalkeeper but not the far post.
China PR looked dangerous from set pieces, notably when Han Pengfei glanced a header over the bar from a Serginho corner. But the turning point came in the 35th minute when Yang Zexiang brought down Ricky Kambuaya inside the area. After a VAR review, a penalty was awarded.
Ole, the in-form striker and fan favorite, made no mistake from the spot. His composed finish marked his third goal in three consecutive qualifiers, sending the home crowd into raptures and putting Indonesia ahead in a crucial fixture.
China’s head coach Branko Ivankovic responded with bold substitutions at halftime, introducing Liu Chengyu and Jiang Guangtai to bolster the attack. The best chance for the visitors came when Wang Yudong stung the gloves of Emil Audero, who showed his class with a brilliant diving save to preserve the lead.
Despite waves of pressure from China PR, Indonesia remained tactically resolute. In the 78th minute, Calvin Verdonk teed up Ole for what could have been the killer blow, only for Chinese keeper Wang Dalei to pull off a magnificent save.
Ivankovic threw everything forward, including forwards Wei Shihao and Wang Ziming, but China PR could not break down a compact and confident Indonesian defense.
The final whistle sparked scenes of jubilation in Jakarta. The result leaves Indonesia in prime position to advance to the fourth round of World Cup qualifying for the first time in their history, while China PR are left ruing their missed chances and face near-certain elimination.
With one match remaining, Shin Tae-yong’s men are on the verge of achieving something monumental — a testament to the country’s growing footballing identity and a clear sign that Indonesia is ready to challenge Asia’s elite.
Credit Photo : AFC
