6-0 and 0-0, "Garuda" Runway to 2026 World Cup Qualification

SURABAYA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian national team drew 0-0 with Lebanon in an international friendly match (FIFA Match Day) on Monday evening (8/9/2025) at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java.

This lackluster result stands in stark contrast to the previous match on Friday (5/9/2025) night, when Indonesia achieved a resounding victory of 6-0 against Taiwan. The outcomes against Taiwan (ranked 172) and Lebanon (ranked 112) serve as uncertain capital for Merah Putih (ranked 118) in facing Saudi Arabia and Iraq in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The fourth round will be held in Saudi Arabia. Indonesia is scheduled to face the host nation (position 59) on October 8, 2025. Following that, on October 11, 2025, Indonesia will take on Iraq (position 58).

Despite dominating the match and making at least 10 attempts, the team coached by Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands) failed to place a single shot on target against Mostafa Matar's goal. In fact, the "Aras" team, managed by Miodrac Radulovic (Montenegro), succeeded in making one accurate shot, although it was thwarted by goalkeeper Emil Audero.

Jay Idzes and his teammates started the match well and dominated. Until the 15th minute, Lebanon was more focused on defense, placing 5-6 defenders in a single defensive line. Indonesia's gameplay had not yet developed, despite their dominance in ball possession.

In the 23rd minute, Merah Putih gained momentum through a counter-attack scheme. Miliano Jonathans infiltrated the penalty area from the right side. However, the winger took too long to process the ball, resulting in the attack being thwarted by the Lebanese defender.

Jonathans attempted in the 31st minute by sending a measured pass to the penalty area from the right side. However, the pass from the FC Utrecht player was easily blocked by the Lebanese defender. In the 35th minute, attacking winger Stefano Lilipaly tried to pose a threat with a shot inside the penalty area, but the ball soared over the goal.

In the 37th minute, Jonathans showcased his class by maneuvering past two Lebanese defenders and delivering a cross. However, the header from the main striker Mauro Zijlstra went wide to the left of the Lebanese goal.

The visiting team strengthened their defense to anticipate the host's attacks. By the end of the first half, Lebanon's bus parking tactic successfully withstood Indonesia's onslaught.

In the second half, in the 47th minute, Lebanon threatened with a shot from striker Karim Darwich towards the near post. Emil Audero swiftly yet calmly caught the on-target shot. Thousands of spectators in this 45,000-seat stadium murmured while holding their breath as Indonesia nearly conceded a goal.

Indonesia responded with a shot from former player Kevin Diks, which was a powerful strike from outside the penalty area against Lebanon. However, the ball soared over the goal. In the 56th minute, Lilipaly gained momentum with a shot inside the penalty area but missed the target. The Red and White faced issues with their finishing, as not a single shot on target had been recorded.

In the 61st minute, Kluivert made a significant change by substituting four players. Marselino Ferdinan replaced Zijlstra, Adrian Wibowo made his debut by replacing Lilipaly, Eliano Reijnders took the place of Ricky Kambuaya, and Thom Haye substituted for Calvin Verdonk.

Radulovic responded with two substitutions in the 65th minute. Daniel Kuri replaced Khaled Kaddour while Karim Mekkaouni took the place of Ramy Najjarine. A minute later, Gabriel Bitar came on for Mohamad Haidar, who received a yellow card. In the 73rd minute, Mohammad Al Masri replaced Darwich.

In the 75th minute, Indonesia regained momentum with a counterattack. Once again, Jonathans fired a shot towards the far post, but the ball soared over. Currently, Kluivert is pulling the attacking wing of Dean James and playing Yance Sayuri. Lebanon made two substitutions in the 83rd minute.

In the 84th minute, Ramadhan Sananta replaced Jonathans. Following this substitution, Sananta immediately had an opportunity. His header, capitalizing on a cross from Hussein Zein, nearly resulted in an own goal.

In extra time, Wibowo headed the pass from Reijnders. However, that header did not pose a threat to the Lebanon goal. Until the end of the match, the score remained unchanged at a stalemate, or goalless.

Indonesia vs Lebanon line-ups

Indonesia 4-3-3

Emil Audero; Yakob Sayuri, Kevin Diks, Jay Idzes, Calvin Verdonk; Dean James, Joey Pelupessy, Ricki Kambuaya; Miliano Jonathans, Mauro Zijlstra, Stefano Lilipaly.

Coach: Patrick Stephan Kluivert (Netherlands)

Lebanon 5-3-2

Mostafa Matar; Hussein Zein, Walid Shour, Khalil Khamis, Hussein Sharafeddine, Mohamad Safwan; Ahmad Kheireldine, Ramy Najjarine, Khaled Kaddour; Mohamad Haidar, Karim Darwich

Coach: Miodrac Radulovic (Montenegro)