Indonesia beat Bahrain in crucial World Cup qualifier

In Jakarta, Indonesia improved to 1-0 in their Group C qualifier to advance to the 2026 World Cup.

After losing his opening game 5-1 to Australia last Thursday, it was head coach Patrick Kluivert’s first victory in charge.

In the 24th minute, Ole Romeny latched onto Marselino Ferdinan’s pass before beating the keeper, scoring the only goal of the match.

Fourth-placed Indonesia is three points clear of their rivals, who are at the bottom of the six-team group, with both the fifth- and sixth-placed teams each holding six points.

Saudi Arabia, who are currently tied for third place, held Japan to a 0-0 draw, which means they have already qualified for the following year’s competition.

Australia comfortably defeated China 2-0 to move into second place, seven points clear of Japan and three points clear of Saudi Arabia.

The top two teams automatically advance to the playoffs, while the bottom three and fourth, and the bottom five and sixth, are eliminated from the qualification process.

Tijjani Reijnders, an Indonesian substitute in the second half, fired a high and wide chance to relieve the home side’s pressure following Bahrain’s much-improved second-half performance.

As they prepare to make their only second World Cup finals, Romeny’s cool first-time finish, following a cross from the right, was the difference.