Indonesia held from historic win in World Cup qualifier against Bahrain

Indonesia (white jersey) almost got a win against Bahrain in the World Cup qualifying game on Oct. 10, 2024. Photo by AFC

Indonesia were leading 2-1 in Bahrain National Stadium, and very near their first-ever victory in a third World Cup qualification round, when the referee announced that there would be six minutes of added time. Six minutes passed, but the main referee did not blow the final whistle. In the ninth minute of injury time, from a cross on the right flank, Sayed Hashim Isa headed the ball back for Mohamed Marhoon to tap in and level the score 2-2.

Indonesia coaching staff got angry when the referee allowed too much extra time, and an assistant of coach Shin Tae-yong was sent off for overreacting. After Bahrain’s equalizer, Indonesia tried to get the ball back into play quickly but the referee blew the final whistle. Indonesia missed the win and the chance to take second place in group C.

For this match, coach Shin fielded a squad with 10 players of Indonesian descent born in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain. The only player who was 100% Indonesian was right midfielder Malik Risaldi. Despite having a squad like that, Shin did not risk playing an open game with Bahrain, but chose counterattacking football with a 5-4-1 formation.

When Indonesia were maintaining a good game, they unexpectedly conceded a goal in the 15th minute thanks to a moment of brilliance from Marhoom. He took a free kick from more than 30 m like Cristiano Ronaldo, as the ball hit the crossbar, bouncing down and out. The referee awarded the goal to Bahrain after the ball had crossed the goal line.

The early conceded goal forced Indonesia to switch up their approach. However, the team showed a lack of cohesion in their attacks. After 45 minutes of official play in the first half, Indonesia did not have a single shot on target.

When everyone thought that Indonesia would go into halftime with a goal down, they equalized in the third minute of added time, with their first shot on target. After a cross from the right wing, a Bahrain defender headed the ball off an Indonesia player, creating a chance for Ragnar Oratmangoen to finish at close range to equalize.

The equalizer helped Indonesia boost their spirit to attack in the second half. The Southeast Asian team dominated and their efforts were rewarded in the 75th minute with a goal. The Dutch-born striker, who plays for Brisbane Roar in Australia’s A-League Men, Rafael Struick, finished with a quick shot when he entered the box, sending the ball into the far corner and leaving the Bahrain goalkeeper no time to react.

Bahrain pushed forward after that goal, but could not penetrate Indonesia's dense defense. The only strategy they had was making crosses into the penalty area to seek the equalizer. However, going up against the tall defenders born and raised in Europe, Bahrain had to wait until the ninth minute of added time to save a point.

After missing out on their historic win in the third World Cup qualifying round, Indonesia have three points after three draws against Saudi Arabia, Australia and Bahrain. On Oct. 15, they will play China.