Minister of Youth and Sports’ Reaction to the the Result Prediction of Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia is True: It Was Not Random

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 result 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 Qualifiers for the Asian Zone at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, in the evening of Western Indonesian Time (WIB).

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

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

Before the match between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, Dito was asked by the media crew about the possibility of Indonesia winning.

In addition to being confident in securing three points, Dito also guessed the score which ultimately matched the final result.

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

"The influence of the supporters is certain. It will affect the mentality and soul of the Indonesian National Team. So be optimistic. Hopefully, the support from the Indonesian people will continue to be given," 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 both scored by Marselino Ferdinan.

Dito said that Marselino's impressive performance in this match was inseparable from the 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 here since they were little."

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

This result maintains the dream of the Indonesian National Team to appear in the 2026 World Cup. To be able to qualify directly, the Garuda Squad must at least be the runner-up of the group.

The Indonesian National Team still has four remaining matches in this phase, consisting of two home matches (against China and Bahrain) and two home matches (against Japan and Australia).