Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers, Indonesia Feasts on Goals Against Taiwan

SURABAYA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian national football team celebrated a goal fest with a 6-0 (4-0) victory over Taiwan in a friendly match on Friday (5/9/2025) evening at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java. This victory boosts the confidence of the "Garuda" team ahead of the continuation of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The "Merah Putih" team, managed by Patrick Kluivert (Netherlands), started the celebration with a goal in the 4th minute from defender Jordi Amat. His powerful header met a cross from midfielder Beckham Putra, shaking the net of the visiting team guarded by captain Huang Chiu Lin.

In the match that kicked off at 20:30 WIB, captain Rizky Ridho and his teammates extended their lead with an own goal from Taiwan in the 23rd minute.

The goal was born from a corner situation created by attacking midfielder Marc Klok, which led to a scramble in the penalty area of the "Formosans." Forward Ramadhan Sananta kicked the ball, which struck the leg of defender Chao Ming Hsiu.

Leading by two goals, Indonesia is not yet satisfied. In the 33rd minute, the advantage widened with a goal from Klok. The goal resulted from the attacking wing vision of Egy Maulana Fikri, who penetrated from the left side of Taiwan's defense. Egy provided a low cross assist to Klok, who then struck with a powerful shot into the top corner of Taiwan's goal.

A minute later, a golden opportunity arose again for Indonesia. From the right flank, Beckham delivered a cross to the left side of the penalty area, which was met by Egy's header. The ball struck the post and bounced out.

The host continued to press and corner Taiwan. The visiting team was left powerless. The team coached by Huang Che-ming sank further with Indonesia's fourth goal in the 37th minute scored by defender Eliano Reijnders.

The fourth goal was born from the efforts of wing-back Yakob Sayuri, who moved from the left flank to the center of the penalty area where Reijnders was in the perfect position to receive the assist. In the 39th minute, Taiwan attempted to threaten with a direct free kick, but it was thwarted by goalkeeper Emil Audero. Indonesia closed the first half with a convincing score of 4-0.

The second half began, Kluivert made a substitution. Sayuri was replaced by Sandy Walsh. Che-ming responded by substituting three players. Midfielder Kuo Po Wei replaced Lin Chih Hsuan. Defender Wei Pei Lun replaced midfielder Tu Shao Chieh.

In the 57th minute, forward Lin Wei Chieh replaced forward Yao Ko Chi. However, just a minute later, the "Formosans" goal was shaken again. Sananta scored in the 58th minute, taking advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Chiu Lin.

Two minutes later, Indonesia added another goal, causing the 24,272 spectators to roar once again. The goal in the 60th minute was scored by Walsh, who stood right in the penalty area to meet Klok's free kick.

Leading by half a dozen, Kluivert made some changes. In the 65th minute, three players were substituted. Midfielder Nathan Tjoe A On was replaced by Thom Haye, Marselino Ferdinan took the place of Egy, while Sananta was substituted for the newly naturalized forward, Mauro Zijlstra.

Taiwan responded three minutes later by making two substitutions. Midfielder Chang Tai Yuan replaced Tsai Meng Cheng. Defender Chen Ting Yang replaced Fong Shao Chi.

Indonesia continues to press and has two golden opportunities to add goals. Kluivert also maximizes the squad he brought. In the 71st minute, new striker Miliano Jonathan replaced Beckham. In the 81st minute, Reijnders was substituted by veteran midfielder Stefano Lilipaly.

Until the end of the second half, the score remained 6-0 in a convincing victory for Indonesia. This result strengthens the confidence of the "Merah Putih." On Monday (8/9/2025) at 20:30 WIB, Indonesia will face Lebanon.

These two international friendly matches are important for Indonesia in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualification for the United States-Mexico-Canada. The fourth round will take place in Saudi Arabia, facing the host team on October 8, 2025. Subsequently, Indonesia will compete against Iraq on October 14, 2025.

Line-up:

Indonesia (4-2-3-1)

Emil Audero; Eliano Reijnders, Jordi Amat, Rizky Ridho (C); Shayne Patty, Yakob Sayuri; Beckham Putra, Egy Maulana, Marc Klok, Nathan Tjoe A On; Ramadhan Sananya

Coach: Patrick Kluivert

Taiwan: 4-3-3

Huang Chiu Lin (C); Fong Shao Chi, Huang Tzu Ming, Lin Chih Hsuan, Chao Ming Hsiu; Kung Chih Yu, Tsai Meng Cheng, Tu Shao Chieh; Yao Ko Chi, Yu Chia Huang, Estama Benchy

Coach: Huang Che-ming