THE Socceroo’s AFC World Cup qualifying campaign suffered another setback with a goal-less draw against hosts Indonesia on Tuesday, September 10.
In the second match of round three in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign, Australia dominated their hosts in possession, shots, touches in the opposition box, and corners.
That dominance, from a side with five changes to it from the team that lost 1-0 to Bahrain last Thursday, was not rewarded at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta.
A match report from Football Australia said the Socceroos began with an attacking 4-4-2 formation while Indonesia opted for their usual 4-5-1 line-up.
The hosts imposed intense early pressure on the Australian goal with two saves in quick succession in 30 seconds.
But Graham Arnold’s side weathered the early storm and began to settle after the first ten minutes, the report said.
The Socceroos then started to impose themselves on Indonesia midway through the first half with continuous waves of attacks and a constant stream of corners.
The second half was more balanced as both sides looked threatening. Australia was in control as Indonesia sat back and looked to spring on the counter.
After his heroics in the first 30 seconds, goalkeeper Maty Ryan was virtually a spectator on the night where he surpassed Mile Jedinak on the Socceroos leaderboard with the most caps as captain.
He now has 37 caps, one more than Jedinak.
The team now sit in fifth place in Group C in the AFC Asian Qualifiers group.
The Socceroos will next play on Thursday, October 10, when they host China in Adelaide.
