Preview: Indonesia vs. Saudi Arabia – prediction, team news, lineups

Indonesiastill seeking their first win in the third round of the AFC qualifiers, will meet Saudi Arabialooking to end a three-match winless streak, on Tuesday in Group C.

The hosts are bottom of the group after five games with just three points, while the visitors are third in the group, joint on six points with Australia and China.

Match preview

© Imago

Indonesia entered the third round of AFC qualification aiming to secure just their second ever qualification for a FIFA WChaving only previously appeared in the tournament in 1938 when they were still known as the Dutch East Indies.

They have seen an influx of players signing up for the national team in recent months, many with Dutch origins, including Kevin Dicks, Eliano Reijndersand Meet Hilgersboosting their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

However, Indonesia have still struggled in their opening five Group C matches, losing two and drawing three, leaving them bottom of the table and three points behind fourth-placed China.

Shin Tae-yong initially drew their first three Group C matches, 1-1 with Saudi Arabia, 0-0 with Australia and 2-2 with Bahrain, but they have since slumped to back-to-back defeats, 2-1 to China and 4 -0 to Japan.

Indonesia are now seeking their first win to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and will aim to overcome Saudi Arabia, a team they have failed to defeat in their last four encounters with two losses and two draws.

Saudi Arabia entered this qualifying round to secure their place at the World Cup for the seventh time, having featured in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022.

They started strongly in the group, drawing 1-1 with Indonesia and defeating China 2-1, but they have since lost one and drawn two of their next three games.

The Arabian Falcons have failed to score in all three games since they last secured a win, a run that has led to the sacking of the former manager Roberto Mancini and return of Herve Renard as the new boss.

Renard, who has recorded the most wins for Saudi Arabia of any foreign manager, led the team to a 0-0 draw against Australia last time out and will now look to return to the team to win against struggling Indonesia on Tuesday.

Indonesia World Cup Qualification – Asia form:

Saudi Arabia World Cup Qualifiers – Asia Form:

Team news

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Diks made his debut for Indonesia in their 4-0 loss to Japan but was taken off before half-time due to injury, meaning Sandy Walsh can enter the page in his place here.

Jordi Amatthe team’s captain, started from the bench and was brought on in the 76th minute of that match, but the defender could play from the start in this one.

Salem Al Dawsari missed Saudi Arabia’s 0-0 draw against Australia through injury and the captain is set to remain unavailable for this match, with Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri and Marwan Alsahfi likely to start in attack.

Faisal Al-Ghamdi was taken off with an injury in the 88th minute of the tie and the midfielder could be replaced by Sultan Al-Ghannam in this one.

Indonesia’s possible starting line-up:
Paes; Walsh, Ridho, Idzes, Amat, Verdonk; Sayuri, Haye, Ferdinand, Struick; The Orat Mango

Saudi Arabia possible starting line-up:
Al-Kassar; Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Albulayhi, Al-Shahrani; Alsahafi, Juwayr, Al-Ghannam, Al-Dawsari, Al-Buraikan; Al-Shehri

We say: Indonesia 0-1 Saudi Arabia

Despite the visitors struggling in recent matches, including failing to score in their last three, the hosts are yet to win a game in Group C, leading us to believe that Saudi Arabia will win this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, please click here.

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