Menpora's Reaction To Predict Indonesia Vs Arab Results Is True: It's Not Ngasal

The Indonesian national team won when they hosted Saudi Arabia (doc. AFC).

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) of the Republic of Indonesia, Dito Ariotedjo, said that the prediction of the results of the Indonesian national team against Saudi Arabia was not just a guess.

Indonesia silenced Saudi Arabia 2-0 in the sixth match of Group C of the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualification in the Asian Zone at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, WIB night.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said that the prediction of the outcome of the duel could be true because he saw Indonesia's game against Saudi Arabia in an away match at the first meeting in September 2024.

"The 2-0 prediction this afternoon was achieved, but this is not regrettable. This is (saw) Saudi Arabia's game in the away yesterday," Dito said after the match.

Before Indonesia's match hosted Saudi Arabia, Dito was questioned by media crews regarding the possibility of Indonesia winning.

In addition to being confident in securing three points, Dito also guessed that the final score was in accordance with the final result.

Apart from that, Dito said that playing as the host had a big effect on the players. The presence of spectators at the stadium contributed to this victory.

"The influence of supporters must be. It will affect the mentality and soul of the Indonesian national team. So optimistic. Hopefully, support from the Indonesian people will continue to be provided," he said.

This is Indonesia's first victory in the Third Round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Indonesia's two winning goals in this match were all scored by Marselino Ferdinand.

Dito said Marselino's impressive performance in this match could not be separated from collaboration with naturalized players.

"I am very proud and this is one proof of coaching where there is collaboration between diaspora players and players who have been around since childhood here."

"Today, two goals were scored by Marselino, an Indonesian young man," said Dito again.

This result keeps the Indonesian national team's dream of appearing in the 2026 World Cup. To be able to qualify immediately, the Garuda squad is at least the group runners-up.

The Indonesian national team still has four matches left in this phase, consisting of two home games (against China and Bahrain) and two home games (contras Japan and Australia).