Indonesia’s hard-fought 1–0 victory over China on May 5 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers not only signaled head coach Patrick Kluivert’s successful continuation of Shin Tae-yong’s legacy, but also underscored the growing impact of Liga 1 Indonesia talents alongside their diaspora and foreign-based local counterparts in the national team setup.
Played under intense conditions at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, the match was effectively a knockout battle. With Bahrain falling 2–0 to Saudi Arabia on the same night, Indonesia’s three points secured a historic qualification for the fourth round of the AFC World Cup qualifiers—marking the deepest progression by any Southeast Asian nation in the modern era of World Cup qualification.
With Indonesia set to conclude their third-round campaign away to group leaders and World Cup-bound Japan, the clash against China carried do-or-die stakes for both sides. While Indonesia still had a pathway to the next phase—albeit through the more grueling fourth round instead of direct qualification—a loss would have all but extinguished China’s hopes of reaching the World Cup.
The match-winner came via a composed 44th-minute penalty from Oxford United striker Ole Romeny—his third goal in as many appearances. But the true unsung heroes of the night were the domestic Liga 1 players who stepped up when Indonesia needed them most.
With several key players unavailable—goalkeeper Maarten Paes and star winger Marselino Ferdinan suspended, Sandy Walsh sidelined through injury, and the likes of Jordi Amat, Shayne Pattynama, Eliano Reijnders, Pratama Arhan, and Asnawi Mangkualam not included in the squad—Kluivert turned to Liga 1 for reinforcements. Once overshadowed by the influx of diaspora talent and foreign-based locals, the domestic league once again proved its worth as a vital foundation for the national team.
Starters included Yakob Sayuri, Ricky Kambuaya, Egy Maulana Vikri, and Rizky Ridho. While Rizky and Egy had remained relatively central to the squad during the transition from Shin to Kluivert, both Yakob and Ricky had largely drifted to the periphery in recent call-ups.
The bench was also stacked with familiar Liga 1 faces: veteran playmaker Stefano Lilipaly, striker Ramadhan Sananta (set to move to DPMM FC), goalkeepers Nadeo Argawinata and Ernando Ari, Yance Sayuri, and Persib Bandung’s midfield engine Beckham Putra—who, despite his domestic success, had yet to make his senior international debut.
Despite pre-match doubts over the depth and readiness of the squad, particularly in light of so many absentees, the Liga 1 contingent proved their worth. Ricky Kambuaya, in particular, was electric. His aggressive runs caused headaches for the Chinese backline, earning fouls and creating chances, including a speculative long-range strike in the 2nd minute that set the tone for Indonesia’s attacking intent.
It was Ricky’s incisive run into the box that won the crucial penalty after he was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Yang Zexiang—confirmed by VAR. Following brief confusion and a scuffle involving Chinese players, captain Jay Idzes, and Egy Maulana Vikri (initially mistaken as the penalty taker), it was Ole Romeny who calmly slotted home, sending goalkeeper Wang Dalei the wrong way.
As China grew increasingly desperate in the second half, Indonesia held firm, soaking up pressure and countering effectively. Remarkably, despite having diaspora talents like Dean James, Mees Hilgers, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, and Rafael Struick on the bench, Kluivert leaned on Liga 1’s experience and energy—bringing on Lilipaly, Sananta, and debutant Beckham Putra. Only Ivar Jenner and Kevin Diks came on from the overseas-based pool.
Lilipaly, at 35, dictated tempo with poise, while Beckham immediately made his presence felt with sharp runs and tenacity that mirrored his club form. Sananta added pressure up front, forcing China to remain cautious in their final push.
By the final whistle, Indonesia had secured more than just a victory. They ended a 37-year winless streak against China, reignited faith in domestic football—long plagued by fan unrest, unpaid wages, and rampant club relocations and rebrandings—and advanced to the fourth round of World Cup qualification, a historic milestone never before reached by a Southeast Asian nation.
This historic night at Gelora Bung Karno was more than just a statement of progress—it was a testament to Indonesia’s evolving identity as a national team. By blending the skill and professionalism of overseas-based stars with the grit and hunger of Liga 1 talents, Patrick Kluivert has built a squad capable of weathering adversity and delivering results when it matters most. With momentum on their side and unity within their ranks, Timnas Garuda are proving that the dream of a first-ever World Cup appearance is no longer wishful thinking, but an ambition grounded in substance, belief, and growing credibility on the Asian stage.