TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Prabowo Subianto understands the Indonesian national team's loss to the Australian team in yesterday's ongoing third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifying Group C. According to him, the national team is filled with a new team and coach, namely Patrick Kluivert. Nevertheless, Prabowo believes that Indonesia will be better in the future.

"This also involves a new team, new coach, new tactical team, so I believe we will achieve good things," said Prabowo when leading the Cabinet Meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Central Jakarta, Friday, March 21, 2025.

Prabowo stated that football is important for the people. Because football represents the Indonesian nation's determination and spirit. "Indonesia should not be underestimated by other nations. Especially when it comes to sports," he said.

The Indonesian national team suffered a 1-5 defeat in the seventh match of Group C in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against Australia at Sydney Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2025.

Australia's five goals were scored by Jackson Irvine, with Martin Boyle converting from the spot and Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller adding the remaining three. Ole Romeny scored the only goal for Indonesia.

This tough defeat caused the Indonesian national team to drop to fourth place in Group C of the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Indonesia still has six points, with Bahrain and China having six points above them.

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