Indonesia vs China Prediction in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian national team will face China in the ninth match of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in the Asian zone at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The Garuda squad is determined to secure full points in order to advance to the fourth round.

This match against China will be the last home game in the third round of the qualifiers. After this, in a span of five days, Jay Idzes and his teammates will play an away game against Japan, who have already secured a spot in the final round in Osaka.

Coach Patrick Kluivert is confident that his team can defeat China. "Realistically, we can win against China, but it will be quite difficult against Japan," he said as quoted from the Indonesian national team's official YouTube channel on Monday, May 26, 2025.

Despite the belief in victory, the Dutch coach still respects every potential opponent. "I respect both countries. I think we have a chance to win against China. While everyone knows Japan has a very strong team. They have already qualified for the World Cup, but we will give our all to win in that match as well," he said.

Meanwhile, China, placed at the bottom of Group C, also aims to win their last two matches against Indonesia and Bahrain. The team led by Branko Ivankovic previously managed to defeat Indonesia 2-1 in their first meeting in Qingdao in October 2024.

However, the defeat occurred due to a change in the player composition fielded by Shin Tae-yong, the coach who previously handled the Indonesian national team. Football analyst Kesit Budi Handoyo analyzed that the loss was due to a strategic mistake in the first half. He noted that the Garuda squad was actually superior in terms of gameplay. "The composition of the players was surprising, there were changes. But in the second half, they pressed continuously and managed to score a goal," he said when contacted by Tempo on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Referring to the national team under Patrick Kluivert at present, Kesit is even more optimistic. "Now the Indonesian player composition is much more complete with the addition of Ole Romeny and Joey Pelupessy. I believe Indonesia can defeat China," he said.

The Garuda squad is expected to win the crucial home match, after winning 1-0 against Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on March 25. At that time, Romeny scored the winning goal in the 24th minute. Meanwhile, China will arrive after a defeat at their own home in March. They were defeated 0-2 by Australia.

Currently, the Indonesian national team is in fourth place in Group C with 9 points, below Japan (20 points), Australia (13 points), and Saudi Arabia (10 points). Patrick Kluivert's team is three points ahead of Bahrain and China, who are below them.

Jay Idzes and his teammates are targeted to finish in the third or fourth position in Group C in order to continue competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup through the playoffs. If they win against China, the Garuda squad has a chance to advance to the fourth round.

Team Conditions

The Garuda squad will be without several key players such as Ragnar Oratmangoen, Marselino Ferdinan, Eliano Reijnders, Sandy Walsh, Jordi Amat, and Maarten Paes. They are absent for various reasons, including accumulation of yellow cards, injury recovery, and family matters. However, to overcome this situation, Kluivert has prepared options for the forward line. He has called up Stefano Lilipaly, Yakob Sayuri, and Egy Maulana Vikri.

For the defensive line, in the absence of Walsh, Amat, and Paes, the Dutch coach has prepared players who can replace them. One of them is goalkeeper Emil Audero, who has the chance to make his debut after previously being on the substitute bench. This means that the defense can still remain solid despite the absence of key players.

Meanwhile, the away team's coach, Branko Ivankovic, will bring 23 players. They are missing several players, such as Wu Lei, who is injured, Liu Rofan, who has problems with his leg, and Xie Wenneng and Lin Liangming, who are suspended due to accumulation of yellow cards.

However, China still has several player options who are included in Ivankovic's squad, including Wei Shihaho and Zhang Yuning in the attacking line. Both are predicted to play from the start.

Head to Head

Based on the last five meetings of the two teams, Indonesia has never defeated China. The Dragons lead with four wins and one draw.

Last 5 Meetings Indonesia vs China

May 27, 2001: Indonesia 0-2 China (FIFA World Cup Qualification)
July 21, 2004: China 5-0 Indonesia (AFC Asian Cup)
October 15, 2013: Indonesia 1-1 China (AFC Asian Cup)
November 15, 2013: China 1-0 Indonesia (AFC Asian Cup)
October 15, 2024: China 2-1 Indonesia (FIFA World Cup Qualification)

Predicted Lineups

Indonesia: Emil Audero (GK); Jay Idzes, Rizki Ridho, Justin Hubner, Kevin Diks; Calvin Verdonk, Joey Pelupessy, Thom Haye; Stefano Lilipaly, Egy Maulana Vikri, Ole Romeny

Coach: Patrick Kluivert

China: Wang Dalei (GK); Jiang Shenglong, Li Lei, Hang Pengfei, Yang Zexiang; Zhengyu Huang, Xu Haoyang, Serginho; Cao Yongjing, Zhang Yuning, Wei Shihao

Coach: Branko Ivankovic

Prediction of the Indonesia vs China Match

With Indonesia's relatively complete player composition and the advantage of playing at home, the Garuda squad is likely to have the upper hand against China. Without Marselino and Oratmangoen, Kluivert must prepare a strategy with other available players to work alongside Ole Romeny in the front line.

Meanwhile, it won't be easy for China to replicate the result they obtained in the first meeting between the two teams at their home ground. This time, they will face a different composition of players. The Garuda squad has a solid defense and midfield. Moreover, they are playing away.

Considering the performance of both teams and the player compositions, the Indonesian national team has a great chance of winning this match and ending the streak of five winless games against China.

Editor's Choice: Indonesian National Team Goalkeeper Emil Audero Explains Why He Wears a Bracelet from Lombok

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News