Coach Shin Tae-yong and his team face two crucial matches ahead.

MANY TEAMS HAVE BROKE OUT IN THE GROUP

Phase 3 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the Asian region features 18 teams, divided into 3 groups. Each group (6 teams, playing 10 matches) has 2 teams directly qualifying for the finals and 2 teams eliminated. Iran, Uzbekistan (Group A), South Korea (Group B), and Japan (Group C) are the most successful teams so far, each with 10 points after 4 matches, creating a significant gap over the teams behind them. They have an 80% chance of securing a World Cup spot. If they continue to win in the upcoming matches, these teams can be completely assured of qualification.

Conversely, in each group, only two teams are truly eliminated. The two mid-table teams will continue to compete in stage 4 for the remaining two World Cup spots, or a play-off spot (Asia has a total of 8.5 tickets to the 2026 World Cup finals). Therefore, even if there is no hope of finishing in the top two of the group, teams will fight to the end in every match, as there are so many doors open for them. The overall view after 4 out of 10 matches only shows which teams have a high chance of securing a World Cup ticket early, not which teams will be eliminated.

The Indonesian team (right) is about to face two strong opponents: Saudi Arabia and Japan.

In Group C, Australia is currently in second place (guaranteed direct qualification for the World Cup), while the two bottom teams (eliminated) are Indonesia and China. However, the gap between the two bottom teams and Australia is only 2 points, which could be reversed after any one match. And there are still 6 rounds left in this race. This is just a small example showing that no team has lost all hope at this point.

The Chinese national team rekindled hopes of advancing after defeating Indonesia in the fourth match.

Indonesia is the only representative of Southeast Asian football still competing for a spot in the 2026 World Cup. In fact, Indonesia is also the best Southeast Asian team ever to have competed in a World Cup qualifying round. Their 0-0 draw against Australia was their only home game; the other three were away matches, and they drew two of them, all while leading. No other Southeast Asian team has ever played so evenly against every opponent throughout four matches during the period when FIFA began distributing World Cup tickets.

U.ZBEKISTAN , I. INDONESIA NURTURES HOPE

The issue isn't about "not being eliminated yet." Indonesia still has plenty of hope, at least in terms of reaching the fourth stage of the qualifiers. Coincidentally: Indonesia is actually the only Southeast Asian team to have ever participated in the World Cup. That was in the 1938 World Cup, when they were a Dutch colony, known as the Dutch East Indies.

In tonight's matches (November 14th), Uzbekistan only needs to avoid defeat in Qatar to take a significant step towards solidifying their hopes of making their first World Cup appearance. Qatar will face the UAE five days later, while Uzbekistan will only have to play against bottom-placed North Korea. The UAE is also a crucial opponent for Uzbekistan, and it's possible those two teams will share the points.

Along with Uzbekistan, Jordan is the other "surprise package" soaring in this qualifying round (currently second in Group B, behind South Korea). Iraq vs. Jordan will be the most important match in this series. They are tied on points, behind South Korea, and far ahead of the other teams. Whoever wins the Iraq vs. Jordan match will have a much higher chance of following South Korea into the World Cup finals.

Indonesia is quietly preparing for two consecutive tough matches, both at home, against Japan (7 PM on November 15th) and Saudi Arabia (November 19th). These could very well be two "once-in-a-lifetime" matches for Indonesian football. Saudi Arabia's campaign has been cut short, forcing them to replace coach Roberto Mancini with Herve Renard before these matches.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-doi-tuyen-indonesia-thay-tro-hlv-shin-tae-yong-truc-2-tran-de-doi-185241113221452337.htm