Mathew Ryan wary of Indonesia as Australia aim to rebound from Bahrain loss
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Australia's Martin Boyle and Abdulla Al-Khulasi of Bahrain during their World Cup qualifier on Sept 5. The Australians lost 1-0 and will be aiming to bounce back in their next match, against Indonesia.
EPA-EFE
GOLD COAST – Australia captain Mathew Ryan has stressed that the Socceroos cannot afford to underestimate Indonesia on Sept 10, as they go into their World Cup qualifier in Jakarta needing to bounce back from the surprise last-gasp loss to Bahrain five days earlier.
A late Harry Souttar own goal handed the Gulf side a 1-0 win on the Gold Coast in the opening match of Asia’s third round of qualifying for the 2026 Finals, leaving Graham Arnold’s side trailing in the early running in Group C.
Japan and Bahrain top the standings on three points, with the top two sides in the six-team group securing automatic qualification for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With little margin for error, Ryan warned his teammates that they have to be on their toes, regardless of the opponent.
“We know they’re (Indonesia) going to have quality that can hurt us if we’re not on our game, and if we don’t take away the opportunity for them to do that,” the goalkeeper said of the only remaining South-east Asian team, who are coached by South Korean Shin Tae-yong.
“We’re focused on us and what we need to do and we’re confident as a squad we can rebound from the other night and take a positive step towards this qualification.”
The Australians have made it to the last five World Cups since 2006 in Germany, but have yet to progress beyond the round of 16. It is still early in this round of qualifiers and they remain one of the favourites to go through, but their next match in the Indonesian capital will not be easy.
A big turnout of home support is expected at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno, with the Indonesian team appearing in this phase of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history.
They will be buoyed by holding World Cup regulars Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in Jeddah on Sept 5, a result that underlines the challenge Australia face.
“There’s going to be a big crowd,” Ryan said.
“They showed their qualities not only against Saudi Arabia recently but in the past as well, and our focus is turning to them and coming up with a game plan to deliver the result for us and Australia.”
Shin, meanwhile, called on the home fans to be Indonesia’s “12th man”.
“We will give our best against Australia. We will face Australia at GBK, so to all the fans, you can come... give the best support as you can, that will be a strength for me, for the players,” he said. REUTERS
