VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian National Team (national team) won when they hosted Saudi Arabia in the 6th match of the 2026 World Cup Qualification, Tuesday (19/11). This result makes Indonesia rank 3rd in the standings - 

VOInews, Jakarta : Two goals from Marselino Ferdinan brought the Indonesian national team to beat Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-0 in the Group C match of the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the Asian zone, Tuesday.

The victory in the match held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) was Indonesia's first three points in the third round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the Asian zone.

Indonesia has now collected six points from six matches in Group C, only three points less than the minimum target set by PSSI for the "Garuda" squad in the qualifying phase.

In the match against Saudi Arabia, Marselino Ferdinan scored goals in the 32nd and 57th minutes. When he scored his first goal, the 20 year old footballer took advantage of a pass from Ragnar Oratmangoen.

Meanwhile, his second goal was the result of Marselino's ability to take advantage of a mistake in the Saudi Arabian defense.

Indonesia appeared to be pressing from the first minute in order to gain victory from the match.

Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo wants the Indonesian National Team to maintain the victory they achieved against the Saudi Arabian National Team when facing the next matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian zone.

"Hopefully (the victory against the Saudi Arabian national team) can be maintained for the next match, (I am) very optimistic (it can be maintained)," said Dito Ariotedjo as quoted on the official website of the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Dito added that this victory was proof of the collaboration between diaspora players and other players who were born and raised in Indonesia.

"This collaboration resulted in two goals scored by Marselino, a young Indonesian," he said.

The Indonesian national team has played six of the 10 matches in the third qualifying round in their fight to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

In the four remaining matches that will take place in 2025, coach Shin Tae-yong's children will visit Australia on March 20, host Bahrain on March 25 and China on June 5, and visit Japan on June 10//Antara-VOI