VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian footballers Mees Hilgers (left) and Calvin Verdonk (right) celebrate an equalizing goal scored by Ragnar Oratmangoen (center) against Bahrain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Asian zone qualifiers in Riffa, Bahrain, on October 10, 2024. (ANTARA/HO-PSSI)

VOI News, Jakarta: Youth and Sports Minister Dito Ariotedjo stated that there is no reason for the national football teams of Indonesia and Bahrain to play their second head-to-head match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers outside Indonesia.

He made the statement in Jakarta on Friday following a request made by the Bahrain Football Association (BFA) to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to hold Bahrain's away game against Indonesia at a neutral venue due to security concerns.

As quoted by Antara News Agency on  Friday  (18/10) Ariotedjo emphasized that the scheduled game must take place in Indonesia, asserting that the country is well-prepared to host.

The minister noted that he has discussed the issue with chairperson of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, who has also confirmed that security for the match in Indonesia would be ensured.

Ariotedjo highlighted Indonesia's successful hosting of various international football matches, including the U-17 FIFA World Cup last year.

He warned that if the Bahrain team continued to refuse to play in Indonesia, the match would automatically be declared a victory for Indonesia.

The Garuda Squad on October 10, 2024, clinched one point from a 2-2 draw against Bahrain in the third match of the third round of the Asian zone qualifiers held in Riffa, Bahrain.

According to the home-away rule, Indonesia will host Bahrain in a game scheduled for March 25 next year.

However, the October 10 game which ended in a stalemate has been labeled unfair by many Team Indonesia supporters on account of a controversial timekeeping call made by Omani referee Ahmed Al Kahf.

Indonesia was leading 2-1 when the referee added six minutes of injury time, which was extended to the 99th minute for unknown reasons. Just seconds before the final whistle, Bahrain scored an equalizing goal.

In response, Indonesian fans flooded social media, storming the accounts of Al Kahf, BFA, and AFC to protest the controversial call. (Antara)