Australia and Indonesia battle to a 0-0 draw in Jakarta

In Jakarta, Australia faced Indonesia in a World Cup qualifying match, resulting in a 0-0 draw. This outcome marked another setback for the Socceroos, who had previously suffered a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain. Despite dominating the match with 20 shots, Australia failed to score, leaving them without a goal in Group C. Coach Graham Arnold expressed disappointment over the team's inability to convert chances, a recurring issue over the past year. The draw allowed Australia to gain a point, moving them ahead of China in the standings. China had a challenging week, losing 2-1 to Saudi Arabia after initially taking the lead. The match saw Saudi Arabia come back with two goals, one of which was scored by Hasan Kadesh, marking a significant win for the team. The third round of World Cup qualifying features 18 teams divided into three groups of six, with the top two from each group automatically qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Teams finishing third and fourth will have the opportunity to compete in a fourth qualifying round for additional spots. Australia's performance in this round has raised concerns about their scoring ability, which could jeopardize their chances of qualifying for a sixth consecutive World Cup. The pressure is mounting as they continue to seek improvement in their upcoming matches.