China Stunned by Indonesia as World Cup Dream Crumbles – First Loss to Southeast Asian Rivals in 38 Years

China’s hopes of reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup were dashed in dramatic fashion on Thursday night as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium – their first loss to the Southeast Asian side in 38 years.

Ole Romenij’s penalty in the first half proved decisive in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ Group C clash, sending Indonesia into the playoffs and condemning China to an early exit. The defeat, coupled with Bahrain’s 2-0 loss to Saudi Arabia, means that Indonesia confirmed their spot in the playoffs while China’s campaign came to an abrupt and humiliating end.

Indonesia threatened from the outset, with Ricky Kambuaya testing Wang Dalei with a long-range effort that flew just wide. China, needing a victory to stay alive, responded through teenage debutant Wang Yudong, who came close after a swift counterattack.

Egy Maulana Vikri was a constant menace, threading a clever ball into the box for Yakob Sayuri, whose cutback was cleared by the Chinese defence. Romenij then sent another effort inches wide of the right post.

China had a glorious chance to take the lead on 22 minutes when Han Pengfei headed over the bar from a Serginho corner. Romenij again threatened with a shot comfortably held by Wang Dalei.

The breakthrough came just before the break, when Yang Zexiang brought down Ricky Kambuaya in the area. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Romenij converted coolly for his third goal in as many matches.

Indonesia nearly doubled their lead moments later as Thom Haye released Egy through on goal, only for Zhu Chenjie to make a crucial intervention.

China boss Branko Ivankovic rang the changes at the break, introducing Liu Chengyu and Jiang Guangtai, but it was Wang Yudong who came closest to an equaliser with a stinging effort that Emil Audero did well to save.

Desperate to salvage their World Cup hopes, China pushed forward but nearly fell further behind in the 78th minute when Calvin Verdonk set up Romenij, only for Wang Dalei to deny the striker with a fine stop.

Ivankovic threw on Wei Shihao and Wang Ziming in the closing stages, but China failed to create any meaningful chances as the final whistle confirmed their exit from the competition.

The defeat marks China’s first loss to Indonesia in 38 years and leaves them to contemplate a miserable campaign that saw their road to the World Cup end prematurely, while Indonesia celebrated a historic night that keeps their dream alive.