2026 World Cup Qualification: Indonesian National Team Draws Iraq In The First Round

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team offset Iraq with a goalless score in the first round of Group B match of the fourth round of the Asian 2026 World Cup Qualifiers at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, Jeddah, Sunday morning WIB.

Quoted from the AFC page in Jakarta, in that match Indonesia took down the middle back of Rizky Ridho who did not play when the Garuda squad lost 2-3 to Saudi Arabia, Thursday (9/10) early morning WIB. In addition, Thom Hayedan Dean James has also been fighting on the field since the first minute.

When they met Iraq, Indonesia, which played attacking, could actually create several chances, but none of them became goals.

On the other hand, Iraq plays more patiently and often uses a set-piece scheme to pose a threat to Indonesia's defense.

Iraq tried to press it first when the game started, but it was Indonesia who created the opportunity in the ninth minute through Thom Haye's sideways kick.

Five minutes later, Indonesia created another chance through a bait from Thom Haye, but the ball that Mauro Zijlstra greeted could close Iraqi defense.

In less than a minute, Patrick Kluivert's squad had another chance by taking advantage of a corner, but Zijlstra's header was still sideways from the Iraqi goal.

Iraq had turned a threat and created opportunities through a header released by Sherko Kareem which was still soaring over the Indonesian crossbar.

In the 33rd minute, it was Eliano Reinders' turn to open the scoring but could not be used properly.

Towards the end of the first half, Indonesia had again created another chance through Dean James' free kick which was still sideways from the Iraqi goal. The 0-0 score lasted until the match entered a period of pause.