SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Australian national team is gearing up for a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier against Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday. (9/10). After suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Bahrain, the team is looking to regroup and deliver a stronger performance in this next match

Coach Graham Arnold, leading the Subway Socceroos, remains confident despite the recent setback, having closely studied Indonesia's progress in football.“We know their football is improving, but our focus is on ourselves and how we execute our game,” he said, cited by Socceroos.com. He also noted that playing in front of a large crowd could either boost or burden both teams.

Aziz Behich admitted the Socceroos underperformed against Bahrain but emphasized the need for resilience. “We weren’t at our best, but now it’s about bouncing back. The squad is feeling positive, and we’re ready to face the challenge,” Behich commented, brimming with determination.

Team captain Maty Ryan echoed this sentiment, urging the team to learn from their mistakes and return stronger. “Adversity is part of the sport, and it’s how you react that defines you. We’re focused on coming back tougher against Indonesia,” Ryan shared, drawing on his leadership experience.

With kickoff at 7:00 pm local time, Australia is eager to secure their first win in this qualifying round. However, Indonesia, fresh off a strong 1-1 draw against Saudi Arabia, will be no easy opponent.

Writer: Fariz Ahmad Luthfi