REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Chairman of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) Erick Thohir will evaluate the Indonesian national team after just swallowing a defeat to China at Qingdao Youth Football Stadium on Tuesday (15/10/2024) night.
Garuda's men lost 1-2 to China in the fourth match of Group C of the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualifier Asia Zone. This was the first defeat of Indonesia in the third round after in the previous three matches holding the series to Saudi Arabia, Australia and Bahrain.
Quoted via his official Instagram account on Tuesday, Erick will conduct an evaluation after the Indonesian national team returns from Qingdao, China.
“We must continue to support the Indonesian national team when we win or lose,” Erick said. “After they leave China I will hold an evaluation.”
In that match, China took a two-goal lead at halftime through Baihelamu Abuduwaili in the 21st minute and Zhang Yuning in the 44th minute.
Indonesia then made a quick change in the second half by including several players. However, the long-awaited goal was only created in the 86th minute through substitute Thom Haye's kick.
Unfortunately, it was the only goal the Garuda team could score after until the end of the match. In nine minutes of extra time, Indonesia was unable to break through the solid defenses of the Chinese wall.
The win was the first point for China after always losing their previous three matches.
On the other hand, in addition to swallowing its first defeat in the third round, this result also extended the Red White's poor record of never winning against China when playing in the Bamboo Curtain Country.
This defeat did not change the team's second place in Group C. Indonesia remained fifth with three points, ahead of China on goal difference at the bottom of the standings with the same collection of points. Japan, who played out a 1-1 draw against Australia at Saitama Stadium today, still lead the standings with 10 points.
With six more matches left, the chances of both teams qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup as group champions and runners-up or advancing to the fourth round as ranked three and four are still wide open.
The fifth and sixth matches of the third round will be played in November next month.
Indonesia will play two home matches against Japan on November 15 and Saudi Arabia on November 19, while China will be away against Bahrain on November 14 and then against Japan at home on November 19.
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