November 21 – Indonesia stunned Saudi Arabia 2-0, a result that left Group C in the third round of Asian World Cup qualifying wide open.
Hervé Renard’s (pictured) honeymoon in his second spell as manager of the Green Falcons was abruptly ended in Jakarta by the Indonesians with their first-ever win against Saudi Arabia.
In the absence of Salem Al Dawsari, Renard’s team were soundly beaten, denting their chances of automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the first global finals with 48 participants.
The result did not come as a surprise. Indonesia had held Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in Riyadh and two goals from Marselino Ferdinan were enough to hand the hosts a famous victory. Renard was brought in to bring stability after the turbulent reign of Roberto Mancini, but after two games in charge, the Frenchman still has a mountain to climb.
He said: “Indonesia deserved to win this game. We now have four games and it will be tough and it will be tough for everybody. I accept the challenge to take Saudi Arabia to the World Cup; it doesn’t matter which way but we have to go to the World Cup.”
Japan is in control of Group C, running away with one of the top two automatic qualification places. They defeated China 3-1 to be in touching distance of an eighth straight World Cup appearance and are nine points clear of second-placed Australia who have seven points. Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, China and Bahrain are all on six points.
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