The Indonesian National Team Makes Australia Aware Of Weakness

Tony Popovic admits the Indonesian national team has opened up the weaknesses of Australia (doc. AFC).

JAKARTA - Australia did win a landslide victory over the Indonesian National Team (Timnas) 5-1 in the seventh match of Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualification Third Round at Sydney Football Stadium, Thursday, March 20, 2025.

However, Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic agreed with his flagship player, Jackson Irvine, that his troops needed to improve.

Popovic said the Indonesian national team opened up Australia's weakness, namely a defense that was not as solid as it hoped.

"Obviously, that's not a good start. I think the goals they (Indonesian National Team) scored summarize how we hold on."

"We gave the penalty and the goals they scored should have been avoided. However, once we got the goal (opener), it calmed everyone."

"Whenever you score five goals, it's great and when you're at home, under pressure, it's even more satisfying," Popovic said.

After taking over from Graham Arnold in September 2024, Popovic admits the players are still trying to adapt to his coaching style and hopes, but feel there is good progress.

"We haven't got there yet, but it's not a bad thing because they're on their way there."

"I felt it at this training camp and at the hotel. Unfortunately, we suffered several injuries, but this also allowed us to get more depth."

"Now, it's about whether we can handle China in the next game from experience knowing that we can score five goals, even when some areas of our game are not good," Popovic said again.

Australia is shrouded in Dewi Fortuna against the Indonesian national team. At the beginning of the match, they avoided falling behind after Kevin Diks' penalty failed to produce a goal.

The Jay Idzes header that started the first chance for the Garuda Squad could still be saved by Matt Ryan.

If both chances succeed in becoming goals and Australia is two goals behind first, the game might be different.