Indonesia vs. Australia: Can the Garuda Shock the Socceroos in Sydney?

Australia VS Indonesia    Livescore / H2H stats and Live Streaming
Time:20-03-2025 17:10 Thursday
The eagerly awaited match between Australia and Indonesia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers will take place at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on March 20. Five days later, Indonesia will host Bahrain at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, followed by crucial matches against Japan and China in June.

Japan currently leads Group C comfortably with a nine-point gap, but the race for second place is fiercely competitive. Four teams, including Indonesia, are tied on six points, just one point behind Australia, making the upcoming matches vital for their qualification hopes.

Indonesia is still in the running for its first World Cup appearance in the modern era, following a historic 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in its last Group C match. This win has revived the nation’s hopes of securing second place, which guarantees a spot in the final qualification round.

1.Patrick Kluivert’s Debut as Indonesia’s Head Coach
This match will mark the official debut of Patrick Kluivert as Indonesia’s head coach. The Dutch football legend, appointed in January 2025 to succeed Shin Tae-yong, is expected to introduce a fresh tactical approach. Kluivert has assembled a high-profile coaching staff, including Denny Landzaat as assistant coach and Jordi Cruyff as a technical advisor.

2.Indonesia’s FIFA Ranking Disadvantage
Indonesia enters the match ranked 127th in the latest FIFA rankings, while Australia sits at 26th. However, an upset victory over the Socceroos could earn Indonesia 20.76 points, potentially boosting its ranking by 11 places. Even a draw would add 8.26 points, while a loss could lead to a ranking drop.

3.Indonesia’s Squad Value Surpasses Australia’s
Despite its lower ranking, Indonesia boasts a higher squad market value than Australia. According to Transfermarkt, Indonesia’s squad is valued at €36.57 million (Rp 648 billion), compared to Australia’s €25.5 million (Rp 434.8 billion). Mees Hilgers is Indonesia’s most valuable player at €9 million, followed by Emil Audero (€5 million), Justin Hubner (€3.5 million), and Thom Haye (€3 million). Australia’s squad value has decreased due to injuries to key players like Harry Souttar, Riley McGree, and Jordan Bos, with Aiden O’Neill being their most valuable player at €3 million.

4.Indonesia’s Younger Squad
Indonesia will field a younger squad than Australia, with an average age of 24.9 years compared to Australia’s 28.2 years. This youth advantage could translate into greater stamina and speed, while Australia will lean on its international experience.

5.Debuts for Four Foreign-Born Players
Indonesia’s squad includes four newly naturalized players—Ole Romeny, Emil Audero, Joey Pelupessy, and Dean James—who may make their international debuts. Romeny officially became an Indonesian citizen on February 8, while Audero, Pelupessy, and James completed their naturalization on March 10. Their inclusion is expected to bolster Indonesia’s chances against the Socceroos.