Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka praised the Indonesian football team for defeating China in Group C of the Asian zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, expressing optimism about the team's next match.

"Today's game was quite good. We must also win the next game. We will emulate today's win in the upcoming match," he noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

Gibran joined hundreds of residents at a watch party for the decisive match, held at the Surakarta Town Hall in Solo City, Central Java, on Thursday night (June 5).

The vice president, formerly the city's mayor, arrived at the venue unannounced and sat among the crowd, next to Solo Mayor Respati Ardi.

In front of thousands of Indonesian supporters at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the Garuda Squad played offensively from the first whistle. Despite creating several chances, the team only broke the deadlock in the final minute of the first half.

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In the 45th minute, Ricky Kambuaya was fouled inside the penalty box, prompting the referee to award Indonesia a penalty kick after a video review.

Striker Ole Romeny calmly converted the penalty, placing the ball in the bottom right corner past China’s goalkeeper and captain, Wang Dalei.

The goal sealed Indonesia's 1–0 victory and earned three crucial points. The team now ranks fourth in Group C with 12 points, behind Japan, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

With this win, Indonesia advanced to the fourth round of the qualifiers, set yet another record for Southeast Asian football, and kept the nation's World Cup hopes alive.

Next, Indonesia will play an away match against the group leader Japan in the final fixture on June 10.

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