FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers: Game Week 6
Stadium: Gelora Bung Karno Stadium
19th November 2024
Indonesia will welcome Saudi Arabia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Game Week 6 of the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. Saudi Arabia are on three game winless streak. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?
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Coming off into the third round of AFC qualification, Indonesia was focused on qualifying to a FIFA World Cup for just the second time in its history. The former Dutch East Indies country's only experience was in 1938. The team has witnessed an increase in the declaration of players to national in the last couple of months, with most of them tracing from Dutch origin; thus, several hopes for Kevin Diks, Eliano Reijnders, and Mees Hilgers to break into the World Cup squad in 2026.
Despite their best efforts, Indonesia has had a worrisome run in the first five games of Group C with two defeats and three draws that have put them in the bottom of the table three points behind fourth-placed China. Manager Shin Tae-yong also started with three draws in Group C but has since had back-to-back losses to China and Japan. The team now hopes to gain its first win to improve the qualification prospects.
Indonesia Projected Lineup
Paes; Walsh, Ridho, Idzes, Amat, Verdonk; Sayuri, Haye, Ferdinan, Struick; Oratmangoen
Saudi Arabia Form
Saudi Arabia entered this qualifying phase looking to make sure it gains its seventh qualification for the World Cup, after having appeared in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022. They started on the right track within their group with the draw against Indonesia and a victory against China but have flunked in their last matches with one loss and two draws. Off the back of these results, ex-manager Roberto Mancini was recalled as a replacement to Herve Renard, now the new coach. With the most wins for Saudi Arabia by a foreign manager, Renard took the team to a draw against Australia in the final game and hopes to take them to a win against Indonesia.
Saudi Arabia Predicted Starting lineup
Al-Kassar; Abdulhamid, Tambakti, Albulayhi, Al-Shahrani; Alsahafi, Juwayr, Al-Ghannam, Al-Dawsari, Al-Buraikan; Al-Shehri
Indonesia v Saudi Arabia Expert Tips
Diks was also given his first appearance for Indonesia in a 4-0 defeat against Japan where, however, he suffered injury and left the ground before halftime. This way, Sandy Walsh may replace him for the next match. Jordi Amat, the team captain, remained on the bench in the last game and came in just in the 76th minute. However, he may start directly from the beginning in the next match.
Salem Al Dawsari, not playing Saudi Arabia's 0-0 draw with Australia due to injury, is likely to be sidelined for the next game as well. Which means that Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Marwan Alsahafi will start in the attacking positions of the formation. Faisal Al-Ghamdi also received an injury, coming off the field in the 88th minute of the last game, which may give an opportunity to Sultan Al-Ghannam for a starting role. Despite recent setbacks wherein Saudi Arabia did not score in their last three matches, Indonesia also failed to win in Group C; therefore, expectations are on the way that Saudi Arabia will definitely triumph this time.