Lost 0-1 to Iraq! Why did Indonesian football’s “World Cup dream” fall short?

In the early morning of October 12, 2025, King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia witnessed a frustrating game. The Indonesian national team lost 0-1 to Iraq in a key battle in the fourth stage of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, and their dream of entering the World Cup was once again frustrated.

Throughout the game, the Indonesian team tried its best and had a well-organized defense, withstanding the opponent's offensive for more than 70 minutes. However, the cruelty of football matches is that one tiny mistake is often enough to make all efforts go to waste.

Fatal blow: One mistake, the whole game was lost

In the 75th minute, Indonesian central defender Rizki Rido made a low-level error when passing back the ball in the backcourt. The ball was intercepted by Iraqi midfielder Zidane Iqbal, a player from Manchester United's youth training. Iqbal dribbled the ball straight in and calmly pushed the ball into the goal, sealing the victory for Iraq.

This goal perfectly illustrates the ability of high-level players to "make the final decision" at critical moments. The Indonesian team's goal was entirely due to an avoidable personal mistake. It exposed the team's deepest problem: a lack of sufficient mental toughness and competition experience at the critical moment that determines victory or defeat. It is sad that the defensive system that has been built so hard has collapsed due to one detail.

The midfield was lost and the offense was paralyzed.

Exactly the same as the previous game against Saudi Arabia, the Indonesian team's midfield was once again passive in this game. After Iqbal came on as a substitute in the second half, Iraq quickly took control of the game. Indonesia's double midfielder combination was completely at a disadvantage in the confrontation, and the team continued to make passing mistakes, which forced the team to retreat to the half-court for a long time and was exhausted.

What’s even more fatal is that the Indonesian team lacks effective means of delivering the ball under the opponent’s high pressure, and its ability to move forward is weak. Even though there were players with both speed and skills in the frontcourt, they were completely "out of food" due to lack of support, and failed to create a truly threatening shooting opportunity throughout the game.

The opponent is better: system, experience and confidence

Looking back at the Iraqi team, even without top scorer Ayman Hussein, they still show the style of a top team in Asia. Players move confidently on the court, control the rhythm calmly, switch offense and defense quickly and with clear goals, firmly controlling the game in their own hands.

Their defensive system is also commendable. Central defenders Tassin and Younis have a tacit understanding of defense and have excellent positional sense; full-backs Ali and Dorsky not only defend solidly, but can also advance forward to assist at appropriate times, providing the team with offensive and defensive balance and tactical depth.

It was this mature overall style of play that blocked almost all the openings and made the Indonesian team's proud quick counterattack completely ineffective. Iraq used a textbook victory to prove what true team football is.

Tightened mentality and missed opportunities

In contrast, Indonesian players seemed too nervous during the game. He is impatient in passing the ball and hesitant to handle the ball. Especially in the few counterattack opportunities, he lacks the decisiveness to move forward. On a stage like the World Cup qualifiers, victory or defeat often depends on these subtle psychological and technical gaps.

This 0-1 defeat is a mirror that clearly reflects the gap between Indonesian football and the top level in Asia - not only in technology and tactics, but also in all aspects of experience, psychology and integrity.