The large crowd of supporters packed inside the Bung Karno Stadium failed to lift Indonesia in its Asian Cup 2015 qualifying match against Saudi Arabia on Saturday.

The second loss in as many matches has consigned Indonesia to the bottom of Group C with no points, while Saudi Arabia consolidated its position at the top of the group with a perfect six points.

China and Iraq, the other two teams in the group, have each collected three points.

The failure by Indonesia to secure its first win in 12 matches summed up the gap in quality between the two teams. Even a drastic move just days before the match came to nothing.

The coaching duo of Rahmad Darmawan and Jacksen F. Tiago, who were assigned to manage the team less than a week ago, replacing Argentinian Luis Manuel Blanco, failed to find the winning formula against the three-time Asian champions.

Just hours before the match, team manager Mesak Manibor announced his resignation, citing disharmony and distrust among officials of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI). “They did not appreciate my work,” Mesak said as quoted by Antara news agency.

Despite the announcement, Ponaryo and his teammates started the game well with Boaz Solossa shocking the visitors with a goal in the fifth minute.

However, it turned to be short-lived euphoria as the remainder of the game became a one-sided affair; especially in the first half with Saudi players dominating, prompting the home side to retreat in defense throughout.

They equaled the score through Yousef Al-Salem, who latched onto a pass from midfield with a punishing header in the 14th minute.

Indonesia improved its play in the second half but not before Al-Salem headed in his second goal.

Pressure by Indonesia toward the end of the match did not change the result, and their opponents managed to cling on to the 2-1 victory.

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