Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia 2-0: AFC World Cup qualifier – as it happened

Thanks for joining us for live coverage of Indonesia’s incredible 2-0 win over Saudi Arabia in Jakarta.

It was a brilliant performance from Team Garuda after their 4-0 humbling against Japan and keeps the Southeast Asian nation well in the hunt for what would be a surprise spot at the World Cup.

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From me, Adam Hancock and my colleague Kevin Hand, goodbye!

“I am so proud of my team and the country,” the Indonesia goalkeeper says after the 2-0 win. “Marselino scored two great goals, and we defended so well. We knew that this was an important game, and to get a win, that gives us so much confidence. It is so close in our group.”

“Indonesia deserved to win this game,” the Saudi Arabia coach says. “We have four games left, and it will be tough, but it will be tough for everybody.”

This result will have come as quite the shock for Saudi Arabia – Argentina’s conquerors at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

With the group now wide open, there will be a sharp focus on the coming fixtures.

Next up for the Saudis is a must-win home match against China on March 20.

The importance of that game is underlined by two away games to follow – against table-topping Japan and a Bahrain side that have already secured a point in Jeddah.

Australia will then play host for a final match in the group stage. That could be a winner-takes-all playoff between the two Asian giants if Japan continue their march to sealing the top spot in the group in the meantime.

Team Garuda won’t be in World Cup qualifying action again for four months when they face an away game in Australia on March 20.

Five days later, they’ll have what is likely to be a crucial home fixture against Bahrain.

In the meantime, their next competitive action is in December when they travel to Yangon for an AFF Championship encounter against Myanmar.

MEEEENNAAAANNGGGGG!!! 🇮🇩🦅

‣ #GarudaMendunia ‣ #TimnasDay pic.twitter.com/9wpsPANIhi

— Timnas Indonesia (@TimnasIndonesia) November 19, 2024

In the other game in Group C this evening, Japan have continued their incredible run of form as they eased past China in Xiamen.

The Blue Samurai now have 16 points from a possible 18 and sit 10 points clear of second-placed Australia.

It’s just a matter of time before they book their place at the 2026 World Cup.

𝗙𝗧 | 🇨🇳 China PR 1️⃣-3️⃣ Japan 🇯🇵

Another resounding performance for Japan as they take the win in the rematch against China PR! 🔥

The Samurai Blue are unstoppable! 💪#AsianQualifiers | #CHNvJPN pic.twitter.com/qQCSH06OIU

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 19, 2024

That was a pretty rough night for Saudi Arabia.

They were under the cosh from the first minute against Indonesia and struggled to find their rhythm all night.

They’ll no doubt reflect on some refereeing decisions that didn’t go their way, but ultimately, their lack of composure in front of goal is costing them.

They have failed to score in their last four World Cup qualifiers and didn’t really look like breaking that duck this evening.

⏰ FT | 🇮🇩 Indonesia 2️⃣-0️⃣ Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

A game to forget. We go again in 2025. #IDNvKSA | #AsianQualifiers pic.twitter.com/9tDLJLUR1j

— Saudi National Team (@SaudiNT_EN) November 19, 2024

It’s a truly remarkable result that has blown Group C wide open.

Indonesia now sit in third position in the group, level on points with Australia, Saudi Arabia and China.

Team Garuda are now only below the second-placed Socceroos on goal difference.

A reminder: The top two teams in the group will automatically qualify for the World Cup while those in third and fourth will enter another qualifying round.

FT | 🇮🇩 Indonesia 2️⃣-0️⃣ Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙙𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙙! 🦅#AsianQualifiers | #IDNvKSA pic.twitter.com/ENybpzFcIn

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) November 19, 2024

Scenes of pure jubilation at the Gelora Bung Karno as the Indonesian players and fans celebrate an extraordinary win over Saudi Arabia.

This is Indonesia’s first win in the third stage of World Cup 2026 qualifying.

A huge result that keeps their dreams alive.

A famous win for Indonesia! Incredible!

Full-time: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

How much longer can the referee play?!

90+9 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Kanno has just smacked a long-range effort onto the bar.

It was a brilliant strike, but the replay showed Paes just got a fingertip to deflect the ball onto the crossbar.

We’ve played the full seven minutes, but more time is being added on.

90+8 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia win a succession of corners.

The second of them finds Tambakti at the back post, and his bullet header flies wide of the post.

His own teammate actually got in the way of him there!

90+6 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

The check is complete, and Indonesia can make some subs:

Off: Rafael Struick, Ragnar Oratmangoen
On: Shayne Pattynama, Muhammad Ferarri

90+5 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Al Hamddan, Radif and Oratmangoen are all in the book.

I’m not 100 percent certain what for, but I am presuming dissent. There are a lot of angry scenes out there.

It also looks like the referee is speaking to VAR. This is chaos.

90+2 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

It’s all boiled over in Jakarta.

Jenner was not happy with a decision by the referee and was booked for dissent.

While that was happening, Hubner raced over to a Saudi player and fouled him.

Indonesia have lost their cool.

90 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

It’s a second yellow for what appears to be an off-the-ball incident!

89 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia

Another dangerous free kick for Saudi Arabia after Tjoe-A-On catches Abdulhamid late. The Indonesian player is in the book for that foul.

Al Juwayr steps up to take the free kick, but he blasts the ball into the wall.

Is this Indonesia’s night?

88 mins: Indonesia 2-0 Saudi Arabia