Socceroos are held to a goalless draw against Indonesia, dealing a major blow to their World Cup hopes | 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Graham Arnold is convinced that the Socceroos’ hopes of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup are not over yet, but he was once again left to lament a plethora of missed opportunities in the costly 0-0 draw with Indonesia.

Five days after a horrific 1-0 loss to Bahrain on the Gold Coast, Australia failed to secure a win against the world number 133 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The Socceroos are goalless and have just one point from two games they should have won in the third qualifying round, putting pressure on Arnold and his charges.

The winless Socceroos (0-1-1, one point) need one of the top two spots to qualify directly and therefore lie fifth in Group C. Saudi Arabia (four points) beat China (nil) 2-1 on Tuesday night despite being reduced to ten men with the score at 0-1, while Japan and Bahrain (both three points) play overnight.

“There are still eight games to play and second place has four (points) at the moment,” Arnold said. “So it’s not a disaster, but I have to go home and think a lot.”

Australia had possession with 19 shots and 15 corners but could not break through the hard-working defence of Indonesia – which they had beaten 4-0 at the Asian Cup in January. A long-range shot from Nestory Irankunda that hit the post was the best they could manage.

“Yeah, a much improved performance and the guys showed that, but they were extremely disappointed,” Arnold told Paramount Plus. “How many chances are we creating? How many chances are we getting? And that’s been a recurring theme for over a year.”

“I thought the boys did quite well. At the end of the day, you come here and the crowd is hostile. I counted how many fans we had here – 14 – and the boys tried hard. “They all admitted that their performance in the first game was not good enough. They are there (in the dressing rooms) and are angry about the result.”

Irankunda was the fifth substitution as a second striker alongside Mitch Duke, replacing the suspended Kusini Yengi. Arnold hoped to bring him into defence and one-on-one situations. The teenage sensation fired a brilliant long-range shot onto the post in the 34th minute and was a clear bright spot alongside right-back Alessandro Circati.

Samuel Silvera was brought back to the right wing, while Keanu Baccus returned from injury in midfield to replace the injured Connor Metcalfe and Cam Burgess came on for Kye Rowles.

Mat Ryan had to save a double in the first 20 seconds, but the Socceroos withstood the early onslaught and took control. Indonesia’s defence faltered after an Australian corner in the 21st minute, Circati’s volley was blocked and goalkeeper Maarten Paes saved a powerful shot from Harry Souttar.

Shortly afterwards, Souttar forced Paes into a save with a header as Australia increased the pressure. Somehow, Irankunda’s shot bounced off Paes’ back and was unstoppable. A minute later, Craig Goodwin slammed home the keeper from close range. Indonesia’s beleaguered defence held firm until half-time and repelled the Socceroos’ onslaught after the break.

Arnold tried to create chances with Awer Mabil, Adam Taggart and Josh Nisbet. Taggart almost scored immediately but shot straight at Paes, while Mabil headed wide in the 78th minute.

The Socceroos’ next game will be against China in Adelaide on October 10, and then against Japan in Saitama five days later.