Australia’s Socceroos are facing a crucial test in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After a surprising 1-0 loss to Bahrain in their opening match, they travel to Jakarta to face a determined Indonesian side on Tuesday.
The loss to Bahrain left Australia trailing in Group C, with Japan and Bahrain currently holding the top spots with three points each. The Socceroos are determined to bounce back and secure a victory against Indonesia to stay in contention for a top-two finish in the six-team group, which guarantees automatic qualification for the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Australia’s captain, Maty Ryan, has acknowledged the threat posed by Indonesia, highlighting their ability to inflict damage if the Socceroos are not at their best. “We know they’re going to have quality that can hurt us if we’re not on our game and if we don’t take away the opportunity for them to do that through how we can play,” Ryan said.
Indonesia, coached by Shin Tae-yong, are appearing in this phase of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers for the first time and have already shown their strength by holding World Cup regulars Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in Jeddah. They will be buoyed by a large home crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Despite the challenges, Australia remains confident in their ability to secure a positive result. “We’re focused on us and what we need to do and we’re confident as a squad we can rebound from the other night and take a positive step towards this qualification,” Ryan added.
The match against Indonesia promises to be a tough encounter, with both teams eager to secure a victory that will put them in a strong position in the group. Australia will need to be at their best to overcome the challenge posed by the home team and their passionate supporters.
