Do you remember Bahrain’s controversial victory over Indonesia in 2024? That defeat has now been avenged with a triumphant victory in the Indonesia vs. Bahrain live match on March 25, 2025.
The Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) erupted with the cheers of tens of thousands of supporters as the Indonesian national team secured a crucial victory over Bahrain in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian zone.
Indonesia faced Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Tuesday night, in front of thousands of passionate supporters, in Round 3 of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Both teams were in desperate need of a victory to keep their hopes of qualification alive, having each accumulated six points from seven matches.
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The Indonesian national team began the match with great intensity. The decisive goal arrived in the 24th minute when Ole Romeny capitalised on Marselino Ferdinan’s pass to find the back of the net.
Ole Romeny’s lone goal in the first half (24’) secured a narrow yet vital 1-0 victory for the Garuda squad. The triumph was met with jubilation by the players, coaching staff, and supporters alike.
These three valuable points keep the Garuda Squad’s hopes alive of progressing to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. From the outset, the Indonesian national team displayed significant improvements compared to their previous performance.
Patrick Kluivert’s tactical approach and team selection proved highly effective. The Garuda defence appeared more solid and disciplined, successfully neutralising Bahrain’s attacking threats.
The Course of the Indonesia vs Bahrain Match
Ole Romeny’s early goal in the first half provided a crucial momentum shift for the Indonesian national team. Receiving a precise pass from Marselino Ferdinan in Bahrain’s defensive area, the unmarked number 10 calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper, who was unable to make the save.
The goal ignited the spirits of the Indonesian players, who continued to show determination throughout the match. In the second half, Bahrain sought to respond by increasing the intensity of its attacks.
However, the resolute Indonesian backline, marshalled by Jay Idzes and his teammates, thwarted every offensive attempt. The Indonesian side also launched several dangerous counterattacks but was unable to extend their advantage.
When the final whistle blew, the score remained 1-0 in favour of Indonesia. This victory serves as evidence of the national team’s resilience and improvement, particularly when playing in front of their home supporters. Securing three points against Bahrain is a critical step in Indonesia’s journey through the 2026 World Cup Qualification.
This triumph has undoubtedly renewed hope among football fans in the country. Although the road ahead remains challenging, the victory over Bahrain at SUGBK represents a positive step and valuable momentum for the upcoming fixtures.
Can the Indonesian National Team Qualify for the World Cup?
At present, Indonesia’s chances of qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup remain intact, though the path is difficult and dependent on the results of other teams.
The Indonesian national team still has two remaining matches in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, facing China on 5th June and Japan on 10th June.
If Indonesia can secure victories in both matches, they will collect 18 points, potentially finishing as runners-up in the final Group C standings.
Shin Tae-Yong’s Opinion
Former Indonesian national team coach Shin Tae-Yong (STY) shared his thoughts on Indonesia vs Bahrain at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.
The South Korean tactician opined that Indonesia should have won the match by a margin of 3-0 if more opportunities had been successfully converted into goals.
STY stated that if Marselino Ferdinan and Eliano Reijnders had capitalised on their chances, the outcome would have been significantly different.
“So we should be able to win 3-0. Maybe Lino might be able to score another goal, and Elijano is the same, [scoring] one more goal,” STY remarked during a live viewing event at +62 Coffee & Space, as quoted by Tirto.
Nevertheless, STY expressed his gratitude for the final result, as Indonesia successfully secured three points against Bahrain. He remains hopeful that Indonesia will achieve victory against China as well.
