2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Branko Ivankovic Sees Indonesia vs China as Key Match

1 week ago 13

March 27, 2025 | 02:07 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia vs. China match will be presented in the ninth match of Group C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualification in the Asia zone at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on June 5, 2025. China's coach, Branko Ivankovic, considers this match to be key in assessing his team's chances of qualifying for the final rounds in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

According to Ivankovic, China's chances of qualifying for the World Cup are still open, despite consecutive defeats against Saudi Arabia and Australia. "The next two matches are the key," said the Croatian coach, quoted from Reuters.

Expanding the World Cup participants from 32 to 48 teams for the 2026 edition has opened up hopes for China to return to the final rounds for the first time since 2002. China entered the March international break with a one-point difference behind Australia in second place. However, a 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in Riyadh and a 2-0 defeat against Australia in Hangzhou dashed their hopes of qualifying directly.

The third and fourth positions in the group stage still offer opportunities to secure a ticket to the final rounds. However, these teams must go through the fourth round of the Asia zone qualification. Ivankovic stated that China's mission in the June matches against Indonesia and Bahrain is clear: to achieve victory. "We must fight for victories," he said.

China will face Indonesia in Jakarta on June 5, 2025, before hosting Bahrain five days later. The Indonesian national team, under the guidance of Patrick Kluivert, is in fourth place in the standings, leading by three points from China and Bahrain. With a three-point difference, competition for third and fourth place remains open until the final.

Against Australia, Ivankovic gave attacking midfielder, naturalized Brazilian Serginho, the opportunity to play. Despite facing a lot of pressure, China failed to score for the second consecutive game. "It's not a result we want to see. Australia performed better in the first half and scored two goals, while we were the better side in the second half. It's a shame we didn't convert any of our opportunities," he said.

China can rely on forward Lin Liangming and midfielder Wang Shangyuan in the June match. They are returning from suspension. Ivankovic will also hope that forward Wu Lei and defenders Tyias Browning and Zhu Chenjie have recovered from injury.

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