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View all search resultsIndonesia’s World Cup dream gets reality check after Saudi defeat
A 3-2 defeat against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Wednesday means a win against Iraq on Saturday is a must for Indonesia to keep alive its hope of playing in next year’s World Cup in North America.
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Saudi player Feras al-Brikan (right) celebrates his goal during the 2026 World Cup Asian fourth round qualifier match between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Oct. 8, 2025. (Reuters/Stringer)
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ndonesia’s century-long dream of participating in a soccer World Cup receded further after the country’s senior men’s team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the latest round of Asian qualifiers for the quadrennial tournament.
In a tense match at King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on Wednesday evening local time, Indonesia struck first with defender Kevin Diks scoring from the spot in the 11th minute, marking his debut goal for the national team.
The penalty was awarded after Saudi player Hassan Al-Tombakti stuck out an arm as Indonesian defender Dean James swung in his free kick from the right.
But despite the bright start, the Garuda squad struggled to maintain momentum. The lead lasted only six minutes, after Saleh Abu al-Shamat steered his right-foot strike from the edge of the area beyond Indonesian goalkeeper Maarten Paes’ dive to his left.
The Saudis went in front with nine minutes left in the half, after Kuwaiti referee Ahmad al-Ali awarded them a penalty following Indonesia’s Yakob Sayuri’s pull on Feras al-Brikan’s shirt. Al-Brikan then slammed the spot kick home.
Al-Brikan, who plays for Saudi club Al Ahli, put the result beyond doubt in the 62nd minute with a clinical close-range finish.
A late penalty from Diks in the 88th minute offered hope for Indonesia, but it proved too little too late, with the match ending in a 3-2 Saudi victory.
