Indonesia Upsets Saudi Arabia, Ignites World Cup Dream

Jakarta, November 19, 2024 – In a dramatic match held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, the Indonesian national team stunned Saudi Arabia with a convincing 2-0 victory. This triumph marks a significant turning point for the Garuda squad, who had previously suffered defeats against Japan and China.

Marselino Ferdinan emerged as the hero of the match, scoring both goals for Indonesia. His exceptional performance and clinical finishing silenced the doubters and injected a renewed sense of belief into the Indonesian fans. This victory has also propelled Indonesia up the standings in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.

The Rise of the Garuda Muda

The victory over Saudi Arabia is a testament to the significant progress that Indonesian football has made in recent years. Coach Shin Tae-yong has masterfully crafted a team capable of competing with the best in Asia. The team’s solid teamwork, unwavering fighting spirit, and effective tactics proved to be the key to their success against a formidable opponent.

Challenges Ahead

Despite this momentous victory, the Indonesian national team still faces numerous challenges ahead. Upcoming matches against Bahrain and China will serve as crucial tests for the Garuda squad. However, with the unwavering support of the Indonesian people, the team is confident in their ability to achieve positive results.

A Glimpse of the Future

The victory against Saudi Arabia has reignited the hopes of Indonesian fans for a place in the 2026 World Cup. The team’s recent performance has demonstrated that Indonesian football possesses immense potential to compete at the highest level.

Pers Release Shin Tae Yong After Match

“Indeed, what we prepared, the players have done well, at the start there was a good chance maybe we could score more goals than two goals, but still I want to thank the players for this result.”

Shin Tae Yong also revealed the reasons for changing the formation from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2 by placing Marselino Ferdinan as an attacking midfielder.

“Because Saudi Arabia’s high pressing is good, so I changed the system to 3-5-2, and our three midfielders [Marselino, Ivar Jenner, and Thom Haye] played well in this match. Then not only because Marselino scored two goals only “He’s the good one, but the instructions I gave were followed well by the players on the field,” said Shin Tae Yong.

Match Statistic