The Indonesian national football team has finally secured its first victory in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Playing at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) in Jakarta on Tuesday (November 19), the Garuda defeated Saudi Arabia 2-0. This win also ended Indonesia's recent goal drought in competitive matches.
Marselino Ferdinan was the match's hero, scoring both goals to secure three points for Indonesia. This victory placed Indonesia third in Group C, trailing Japan and Australia.
Read also: Finally, a win for Indonesia! World Cup dream alive as Indonesia beat Saudi Arabia
Indonesia’s FIFA Ranking Predicted to Climb
The win against Saudi Arabia is expected to impact Indonesia's FIFA ranking significantly. According to the latest projections, Indonesia is set to rise three spots from its previous position of 130, as last released on October 24. This improvement keeps Indonesia ahead of Malaysia, which is predicted to rank 128 after drawing 1-1 with India and defeating Laos 3-1.
Before this victory, Indonesia had dropped to 132nd place, falling below Malaysia. However, this impressive performance against a strong Asian team like Saudi Arabia highlights Indonesia's progress under the leadership of coach Shin Tae-yong.
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Read also: Indonesia's historic win over Saudi in Numbers - What's Next For Shin Tae-Yong's Men
Saudi Arabia Suffers a Blow
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s loss to Indonesia has cost them 19.16 points in the FIFA rankings. This setback is expected to push the Green Falcons down three places to 60th. It is a significant blow for a team that has consistently been among Asia's football elites.
Read also: The Dream's Not Over: What's Indonesia's Next Scenario to Qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Strengthening Indonesia’s Position in Asian Football
With a 4-0 loss to Japan and a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian national team has shown its ability to compete at the highest level in Asia. This achievement is expected to boost the players' confidence and inspire the Garuda supporters further.
Marselino Ferdinan, along with teammates like Jay Idzes, has demonstrated that Indonesia can challenge Asia's top teams with solid performances. This success marks an important milestone in Indonesia’s journey to making a new mark on the international football stage.
