"Hopefully, it (the victory) can be maintained for the next matches. I am very optimistic," he noted in a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Indonesia's squad claimed a decisive 2–0 win over Saudi Arabia in the third-round match of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday (November 19) at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta. Marselino Ferdinan netted both goals in the impressive victory.
Tuesday's win catapulted the country into third spot in the preliminary standings of Group C with six points.
Ariotedjo admitted to sensing pride in witnessing the Indonesian national team's impressive performance when they defeated Saudi Arabia's national team. It was the team's first victory in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The minister attributed the win to the team's hard work and unity. To this end, he expressed hope that the good performance would continue to be maintained in the next matches.
The minister highlighted how the victory reflected successful coaching that united players born and raised in Indonesia with those from the diaspora.
"The collaboration resulted in two goals scored by Marselino," he remarked.
The Indonesian national team has played six out of 10 matches in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
In the four remaining matches played in 2025, Indonesia will face Australia on March 20, Bahrain on March 25, China on June 5, and Japan on June 10.
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Translator: Aloysius Lewokeda, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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