Australia vs Indonesia Prediction (16:10 March 20): A life-and-death battle

Pre-match review

After reaching the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup, the Australian team continued their journey to conquer tickets to the US, Canada and Mexico in 2026. They played excellently in the second qualifying round when they won all 6 matches, scored 22 goals and conceded none.

However, Australia had a tougher time in the third qualifying round. They started badly, losing to Bahrain and drawing with Indonesia. This led to a change in management, with Tony Popovic replacing Graham Arnold.

Since then, Australia have gone four games unbeaten, but have drawn their last three games against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. In their final match of 2024, they needed a stoppage-time goal from Kusini Yengi to earn a draw against Bahrain.

Australia are currently second in Group C with nine points from six games, just one point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China. A home win in Sydney would cement their place in the group with a ticket to the next round.

Meanwhile, Indonesia are on the verge of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history. They kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 12-0 win over Brunei in the first round, before securing a place in the third qualifying round by finishing second in their group with 10 points from six matches.

Under the newly appointed coach of Dutch football legend Patrick Kluivert, Indonesia entered 2025 with great determination. After a series of three consecutive draws, including a draw against Australia, they shocked Saudi Arabia 2-0 thanks to a brace from Marselino Ferdinan.

That victory puts Indonesia in a strong position to compete for a top-two spot. If they can beat Australia in Sydney, they will leapfrog their rivals and take a huge advantage in the race for a place in the 2026 World Cup.

Form, head-to-head history

Australia, currently ranked 26th in the FIFA rankings, have dominated Indonesia in their history against each other with 12 wins, four draws and just one defeat (1982 World Cup qualifiers). The most recent meeting between the two teams in Jakarta in September 2024 ended in a 0-0 draw. In their last eight meetings, Australia have also never conceded a goal against Indonesia.

Under coach Tony Popovic, Australia are in a bit of a slump with consecutive draws against Japan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Coach Popovic stressed that a win in this match is a must to help Australia consolidate their position in the group.

Indonesia, ranked 127th in the world, have made significant improvements since the appointment of coach Patrick Kluivert. A memorable win over Saudi Arabia in November 2024 was proof that the archipelago is ready to cause a surprise. Coach Kluivert is confident in the team's preparations and aims to take Indonesia to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1938.

Force information

Australia suffered a major blow with Harry Souttar, Massimo Luongo and Riley McGree out through injury.

The visiting team Indonesia will be without midfielder Egy Maulana and defenders Asnawi Mangkualam and Elkan Baggott due to injury.

Expected lineup:

Australia: Ryan; Rowles, Degenek, Burgess; Miller, O'Neill, Irvine, Behich; Goodwin, Yengi, Boyle

Indonesia: Paes; Idzes, Hubner, Ridho; Walsh, Haye, Pelupessy, Arhan; Ferdinand; Struick, Sananta

Score prediction: Australia 2-1 Indonesia.

Trong Dat