Indonesia Faces Bahrain in Crucial World Cup Qualifier Showdown

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesia’s national football team is gearing up for a highly anticipated World Cup qualifier match against Bahrain on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. This pivotal clash in Group C is crucial for the Garuda squad, which must win to keep its hopes alive for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Head coach Patrick Kluivert’s preparations have been marred by injuries to key players. Defensive pillars Mees Hilgers and Sandy Walsh, along with forward Ole Romeny, missed training this weekend at Stadion Madya, leaving Kluivert with only 26 available players for the match. These challenges heighten the pressure on Indonesia as they face a historically tough opponent.

Bahrain has a notorious reputation against Indonesia, famously defeating them 10-0 in a 2012 World Cup qualifier. However, the recent history between the two teams indicates a shift, with Indonesia managing a 2-2 draw in a previous qualifier this year, demonstrating their potential to compete.

Bahrain entered this qualifier with a mixed record. The team started strongly, achieving a surprising 1-0 victory over Australia, but has since faltered, remaining winless in their last six matches. In their most recent qualifier, Bahrain fell to Japan, with second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealing their fate.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s form has been less than favorable, with four games without a win, including three consecutive losses. Contrast that with Bahrain’s performance, which has seen them secure four victories in their last six outings, potentially boosting their confidence heading into the match.

The Indonesia vs. Bahrain match will kick off at 7:15 PM IST. Fans in India can watch the crucial game live on the FanCode app. As the countdown begins, both teams will be looking to clinch valuable points in this tightly contested qualification process.