Bringing The Results Of The Meeting With AFC, PSSI Chairman Ensures The Match Against Bahrain Remains In Indonesia

JAKARTA - PSSI General Chair (Ketum) Erick Thohir, reported the results of the meeting with AFC to discuss the match between the Indonesian national team vs Bahrain in the Third Round of the 2026 Asian Zone World Cup Qualification. From the results of the meeting, he ensured that this crucial match would continue in Indonesia.

"Yes, yesterday the Secretary General of the AFC match against Bahrain was still in Indonesia," said Erick Thohir when met in Jakarta on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

The Indonesian national team is scheduled to face Bahrain on March 25, 2025. In that match, the Garuda Squad will host.

With the status of the host, Indonesia can host Bahrain in a specified location. However, regarding this matter, Bahrain refused because he was worried about the safety of his players.

Bahrain's fear was triggered by the controversial decision of referee Ahmed Al Kaf from Oman during the first meeting in Bahrain.

At that time, the Indonesian national team, which was already ahead 2-1, had to settle for a draw through Mohamed Marhoon's late goal (90+9').

Referee Ahmed Al Kaf is considered controversial because it actually adds only six minutes. This situation made the Bahrain National Team's social media and the Bahrain Football Federation the target of Indonesian netizens' anger.

Because of this, Bahrain even sent a letter to the AFC asking for the second leg to be played in a neutral place. However, the request was rejected by FIFA and AFC, and decided that the match would still be held in Indonesia after undergoing a series of considerations.