Playing With 10 People, Iraq Brings Indonesia's Dream To The 2026 World Cup

Indonesian national team goalkeeper Maarten Paes struggled against Iraqi players in the 2026 World Cup qualifying match at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Sunday morning WIB. (Reuters/strings)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after losing 0-1 to Iraq in the Group B match for the fourth round of Asian zone qualifiers at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jeddah, Sunday morning WIB.

Quoted from AFC in Jakarta, the defeat made Indonesia locked in the bottom position of Group B because without points from two matches, the situation that destroyed Indonesia's hopes of competing in the 2026 World Cup. Previously, Indonesia was defeated by Saudi Arabia with a score of 2-3.

On the other hand, the victory made Iraq open the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals wide open. Currently, Iraq, which has only played one match in Group B, is in second place in the standings with three points.

The team that has the right to advance directly to the 2026 World Cup from the fourth round of the Asian zone is the group winner. While the second place will compete in the fifth round.

In the match against Iraq, Indonesia's defeat occurred due to a goal scored by midfielder Zidane Iqbal when the match had entered its 76th minute.

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.

Patrick Kluiver's squad had another chance a minute later with a corner, but Zijlstra's header was still sideways from the Iraqi goal.

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 halftime.

Entering the second half, Iraq took the initiative to attack first, but some of the efforts they made have not been dangerous.

Iraq created an opportunity first in the 58th minute through Amyn's Youssef kick which was still sideways from the Indonesian goal.

Indonesia turned to threaten and provide opportunities through a low kick released by Kevin Diks, who was still saved by Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hasan in the 65th minute.

Iraq was able to get the lead first through a goal scored by Zidane Iqbal through his low kick so that the score changed to 1-0 in the 75th minute.

Furthermore, Indonesia continues to strive to equalize, but the efforts made by Ole Romeny and colleagues have not yielded any results.

Iraq had to play with 10 people in the 90+9 minute after their centre-back Zaid Tahseen had to be sent off by the referee for receiving a second yellow card.

In the remaining time, Indonesia tried to find an equalizer, but until the long whistle sounded, the 1-0 score for Iraq's victory did not change.