The Socceroos’ chances of a top two finish and automatic qualification into the 2026 World Cup copped another surprise blow after they were held 0-0 by a gutsy Indonesia outfit in Jakarta.
The Socceroos dominated in front of almost 80,000 fans at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, but couldn’t find a single goal. They now sit in fifth in Group C, with Indonesia remaining ahead of the Aussies.
It’s the second disappointing result for the Socceroos after being upset by Bahrain 1-0 on the Gold Coast. It was Indonesia’s second draw after a 1-1 in Saudi Arabia last week.
The Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold made five changes to his line-up with highly rated Bayern Munich teenager Nestory Irankunda given a chance to shine from the start.
Kusini Yengi was suspended after his red card against Bahrain while central defender Alessandro Circati was again employed as a makeshift right-back.
Australia were by far the better side, forcing a succession of corners with big centre-back Harry Souttar creating havoc in the Indonesia defence.
The 18-year-old Irankunda was at the heart of all Australia’s best attacking play.
In the 34th minute, he came within a whisker of putting his side ahead when his right-foot thunderbolt rattled the post from 25 yards before rebounding off the back of the diving goalkeeper and away to safety.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Australia on top but failing to find any cutting edge in front of goal.
The loss heaps further pressure on Graham Arnold, who will need to get his side to right the ship and beat China in their next game to be any hope of finishing in the top two of Group C and earn automatic qualification.
“Extremely disappointed, because how many chances do we create? How many chances do we get?” said Arnold.
“The boys put in the effort, and they all admitted their performance wasn’t good enough in the first game.
“There’s eight games to go. It’s not like it’s a disaster, but I’ve got to go home and do a lot of thinking.”
Irankunda believes the Socceroos wasted many opportunities throughout a game they let slip through their fingers.
“It was our game all along. We should have won it,” Irankunda said.
“We had our chances in the first half and second half, but we should have put them away in the first half.”
After their next fixture against China in Adelaide, the Socceroos will travel to take on Group C leaders Japan.
As it stands, Australia are fifth and facing elimination from World Cup qualifying.
If they don’t finish in the top two of their group, they will get another chance if they finish third or fourth.