The most anticipated match of the 4th round of Group C of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia has ended. The home team China enjoyed the joy of victory when defeating Indonesia with a score of 2-1.
Welcoming Indonesia at the Qingdao City Stadium, the Chinese team still cannot register star striker Wu Lei to start because he has just recovered from a hamstring injury. On the Indonesian side, coach Shin Tae-yong also made adjustments compared to the last match against Bahrain. Jordi Amat and Sandy Walsh did not start from the beginning, but were replaced by Asnawi Mangkualam and Shayne Pattynama.
Despite playing away from home, Indonesia was not at all inferior to China. But while they were playing quite well, the archipelago team received a cold shower. In the 21st minute, from a direct free kick in the middle of the Chinese field, the ball was hung into the Indonesian penalty area. Pattynama handled the ball unsafely, allowing Jiang Qinglong to make an effort to save the ball, and at the same time, assist Abduweli to finish close to the goal to open the score.
With the lead, the home team played more confidently. By the end of the first half, China doubled the gap. In the 44th minute, Cao Chuan Yi skillfully passed the ball with the outside of his foot, tearing apart the Indonesian defense. Striker number 9, Zhang Wuning, ran down, escaped Hilgers's marking, and scored with one touch while facing the goalkeeper. This goal was so emotional that Zhang Wuning even burst into tears as he ran to the stands to celebrate with the home fans. The first half ended with a 2-0 advantage for China.
At the beginning of the second half, coach Shin Tae-yong changed three positions at the same time. Thom Haye and Marselino Ferdinan helped Indonesia gain a better position in the game. However, despite continuously attacking the goal, Indonesia could not find a goal to shorten the score when Asnawi and Tjoe-A-On's final moves were hasty and inaccurate.
It wasn't until the 87th minute that the Chinese team's net shook. From a powerful throw-in by left-back Pratama Arhan, the ball fell to Thom Haye. The midfielder, who plays in the Netherlands, fired a low shot that hit a Chinese defender's foot and changed direction, leaving goalkeeper Wang Dalei helpless.
The second half was added 9 minutes of extra time, pushing the tension to a climax. Indonesia pressed the field fiercely but the Chinese team's defense stood firm to maintain the fragile gap. Winning 2-1, the Chinese team got the first 3 points in the 3rd qualifying round, equal with Indonesia. This victory also helped coach Branko Ivankovic's seat to be temporarily safe. In November, Indonesia will return home to welcome a very strong opponent, Japan, while China will travel to Bahrain to play away.
HOANG DIEP
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/indonesia-van-chua-co-chien-thang-tai-vong-loai-3-world-cup-2026-post763815.html
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