The Indonesian national team secured a 2-0 victory over the Saudi Arabian national team, with Marselino Ferdinan emerging as the hero by scoring both goals.
The match, part of matchday 6 in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, took place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday (11/19). Indonesia opened the scoring in the 32nd minute.
The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Red and White team until halftime. Marselino added his second goal in the 57th minute to double Indonesia’s lead, sealing the 2-0 win.
This result placed Indonesia in third position in Group C with six points, tied with Australia in second and Saudi Arabia in fourth.
Match Highlights
The Garuda team started the game with an aggressive press. Indonesia nearly scored in the opening minutes. A cross from the right was met by Marselino Ferdinan, but his attempt struck the post.
Marselino had another chance in the 5th minute, following a Sandy Walsh cross that Ahmed Alkasaar parried. Marselino headed the rebound, but Hassan Al Tambakti cleared it off the line.
Indonesia continued to dominate in the early stages. In the 8th minute, Rafael Struick broke free from the offside trap but his low shot was deflected wide by Alkasaar.
Saudi Arabia gradually gained momentum, with Feras Al Buraikan heading a cross over the bar.
In the 25th minute, the referee reviewed a potential red card via VAR after Justin Hubner raised his foot too high and struck a Saudi player. However, only a yellow card was issued.
The referee consulted VAR again after Al Buraikan fell in the penalty box, but deemed there was no foul by Jay Idzes.
Goal! Indonesia broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute. Ragnar Oratmangoen surged down the left wing and delivered a precise cross, which Marselino calmly placed into the far post.
Trailing, Saudi Arabia attempted to respond with Faisal Al Ghamdi’s long-range shot, but it went straight to Maarten Paes.
Saudi Arabia dominated the closing minutes of the first half in search of an equalizer, while Indonesia threatened on the counterattack. Calvin Verdonk’s volley narrowly missed, hitting the side netting.
The first half ended with Indonesia leading 1-0.
Saudi Arabia came out attacking in the second half. Mohammad Kano had a chance but his header went wide.
Goal! Indonesia doubled their lead in the 57th minute with a swift counterattack. Verdonk broke through on the right and delivered a cross to Marselino. Although his first shot was blocked, he recovered the ball and chipped it over Alkasaar into the net.
Al Buraikan had a chance from a corner but his header flew well over the bar.
Indonesia focused on defense for the remainder of the second half. Saudi Arabia relied on set pieces but struggled to break through Indonesia’s defensive line in open play.
Another Saudi corner found Abdullah Radif in front of goal, but his header also went over the bar.
Indonesia was reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute after Justin Hubner received a second yellow card for obstructing a Saudi player taking a quick free kick.
Saudi Arabia pressed hard in stoppage time, with Kano’s shot hitting the crossbar, but Indonesia held firm to secure the 2-0 win.
Lineups
Indonesia:
Maarten Paes; Rizky Ridho, Jay Idzes, Justin Hubner; Sandy Walsh (Yakob Sayuri 78′), Ivar Jenner, Thom Haye (Nathan Tjoe-A-On 68′), Calvin Verdonk; Marselino Ferdinan (Pratama Arhan 78′), Ragnar Oratmangoen (Muhammad Ferrari 90′), Rafael Struick (Shayne Pattynama 90′).
Saudi Arabia:
Ahmed Alkasaar; Ali Al Bilahyi, Saud Abdulhamid, Yasir Gharsan Alsharani (Sultan Alganham 79′), Hassan Al Tambakti; Marwan Al Sahafi, Nasser Al Dawsari (Abdullah Radif 61′), Faisal Al Ghamdi (Saleh Al-Shehri 67′), Mohammed Al Qahtani (Abdullah Al Hamddan 46′), Mohammed Kanno; Feras Al Buraikan (Musab Al Juwayr 61′).
