In a challenging conclusion to their Group C matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, Indonesia faced a significant setback with a 6-0 loss against Japan at Suita City Stadium. Despite this defeat, Indonesia secured a historic place in the fourth round of qualification, a notable achievement for the national team.

Japan, having already qualified for the World Cup and secured the top position in the group, showcased their dominance throughout the match, maintaining 71 percent possession. The goals for Japan came from Daichi Kamada (2), Takefusa Kubo, Ryoya Morishita, Shuto Machino, and Hao Mosoya, as they overwhelmed the Indonesian defense.

Indonesia’s coach Patrick Kluivert had to make several adjustments to the starting lineup due to injuries and fatigue, resting key players such as Maarten Paes and Calvin Verdonk. The experimental squad struggled to cope with Japan's high tempo and tactical precision, leading to a disappointing performance that exposed critical defensive vulnerabilities.

Despite finishing the group stage in fourth place, Indonesia now looks ahead to the fourth-round draw scheduled for July 17, 2025. They will join teams like UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia in a competitive round where success will require significant improvements, particularly in midfield creativity and tactical execution.

Upcoming friendlies against Kuwait and Lebanon will serve as crucial preparation as Indonesia gears up for the tougher matches ahead. The focus will be on addressing inconsistencies in their gameplay to ensure they are competitive against the disciplined defenses they will face in the next round.

As Indonesia reflects on this defeat, the aim remains clear: to build on their historic achievement and make a mark in the upcoming challenges of World Cup qualification.