Indonesia's Unexpected Leap in World Cup Qualifiers

Indonesia, the first Asian team to participate in a FIFA World Cup back in 1938, have not been close to this grand stage in recent times. However, the story is changing as Indonesians impress in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 edition. Their results in the third round have surpassed expectations, staying unbeaten after three games and drawing against powerhouses such as Saudi Arabia and Australia. 

Their success isn't only attributed to their impressive on-field performance but also to continuous arrivals of overseas-born players of local heritage now representing the Indonesian team. Players like Jay Idzes, playing with Venezia in Serie A, has emerged as a valuable defensive asset and team captain, despite having just six caps to his name. Maartens Paes, on his debut last month, showcased a stellar performance as goalkeeper, contributing to a commendable draw against Saudi Arabia. 

On Tuesday, Indonesia faces off against China, a different team to the one that previously made it to the World Cup and the finals of the AFC Asian Cup multiple times. Indonesia might have an upper hand, considering China's current declining rank and their underperformance against similar Southeast Asian teams. This match could mark Indonesia's historic first win at this stage, and a significant leap in their journey towards the 2026 World Cup.