Indonesia vs Bahrain 1-0: AFC World Cup qualifiers Asia – as it happened

Palestine has beaten Iraq in dramatic fashion in its first victory in the third round of the Asia World Cup qualifiers.

But with six points from eight games, can the Palestinians still make it to the World Cup in North America next year?

Yes.

In this round, the two top teams from each of the six-nation groups will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The third and fourth places will head to a playoff round, made of two three-nation groups.

The winners of the playoff groups will qualify. The runners-up can still qualify via another round of playoffs that will involve teams from different continents.

As things stand, with two games left to play, Palestine can still make it to the third or fourth spot in its group, where third-place Iraq has 12 points, followed by Oman with 10.

Palestine will play against Kuwait and Oman in the final matches of the round in June.

Israel has killed hundreds of footballers in Gaza since the start of the war, including Ayman al-Kurd, a former player with the Palestine national team, in January.

The live coverage of Indonesia vs Bahrain in the AFC World Cup Qualifiers Asia has ended.

Thank you for tuning in, and we hope you enjoyed our coverage.

We will be back on the weekend for more football, but until then, it’s a goodbye from us, Manasi Pathak and Kevin Hand.

One match of particular interest on the first day of qualifiers for the Asian Cup was the fixture between India and Bangladesh:

FT | 🇮🇳 India 0️⃣-0️⃣ Bangladesh 🇧🇩

Both teams settle for a goalless stalemate in their Group C opener!#ACQ2027 | #INDvBAN pic.twitter.com/UG1ZytCtN0

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 25, 2025

Click here to read our match report from the World Cup qualifier in Jakarta.

The focus now shifts to the weekend as club football returns.

Al Jazeera will bring you live updates from Saturday’s LaLiga clash between title challengers Real Madrid and relegation-threatened Leganes. Kickoff is at 20:30 GMT.

Real Madrid are tied on points with leaders Barcelona but sit second on goal difference. They have also played a game more than their rivals.

Iran are facing Uzbekistan in a Group A fixture in Tehran and are currently trailing 1-0, thanks to Khojimat Erkinov’s goal for the Uzbeks.

There’s still plenty of time for Iran to bounce back in the game with the first half still under way.

Team Melli only need a point to confirm a fourth consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup while victory for Uzbekistan would see them drawing level on 19 points with Iran.

The Kyrgyz Republic has pulled off a major upset in Group A with a 3-1 victory over Qatar, the 2023 Asian Cup champions.

Qatar sit fourth in that group with 10 points from eight games while the Kyrgyz Republic are second from the bottom with six points.

FT | 🇰🇬 Kyrgyz Republic 3️⃣-1️⃣ Qatar 🇶🇦

The hosts stun #AsianCup2023 champions with a decisive win in Bishkek!#AsianQualifiers | #KGZvQAT pic.twitter.com/Q3dryNkExM

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 25, 2025

Jordan, the 2023 Asian Cup finalists, have secured a crucial point in their World Cup qualifier in South Korea.

Jordan are three points behind the South Koreans, who lead the group with 16 points. Iraq and Oman, who are third and fourth with 12 and seven points, are both in action later.

𝗙𝗧 | 🇰🇷 Korea Republic 1️⃣-1️⃣ Jordan 🇯🇴

🤝 Honours even as both teams share the spoils in Suwon!#AsianQualifiers | #KORvJOR pic.twitter.com/k66iTFY6dQ

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 25, 2025

2️⃣ goals. 2️⃣ games.

🇮🇩 Ole Romenij. His legacy is just getting started#AsianQualifiers | #IDNvBHR pic.twitter.com/2eT9J0JhEw

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 25, 2025

Indonesia’s Romeny, whose goal led the lead to victory, has been named the Man of the Match.

The 24-year-old made his international debut against Australia in the last game and already has two goals in two games!

Well deserved, Ole👏

‣ #KitaGaruda pic.twitter.com/KUU2xM7SZr

— Timnas Indonesia (@TimnasIndonesia) March 25, 2025

Bahrain, who sit second-bottom in Group C with six points from eight games, will host third-placed Saudi Arabia on June 5 before playing away to bottom side China five days later.

Indonesia will play China at home in the next qualifying match on June 5 followed by an away game against Japan on June 10.

China are at the bottom of Group C with six points from eight games, while Japan have 20 and have already secured World Cup qualification.

This match on their home turf was a must-win match for Indonesia after they were thrashed by Australia 5-1 in the last qualifier game in Sydney.

But Romeny’s first-half strike – his second goal in as many games – helped them secure a 1-0 win in what was a nervy encounter.

Indonesia, coached by Kluivert, are aiming to earn World Cup qualification for the first time since 1938, when they made their debut as the Dutch East Indies.

𝗙𝗧 | 🇮🇩 Indonesia 1️⃣-0️⃣ Bahrain 🇧🇭

A momentous victory for Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium!#AsianQualifiers | #IDNvBHR pic.twitter.com/rkG6db08Xz

— #AsianQualifiers (@afcasiancup) March 25, 2025

This 1-0 win over Bahrain is Indonesia’s first under new coach Kluivert.

Romeny’s first-half strike proved to be the game-changer for the hosts.

Indonesia take their points tally to nine from eight games and sit in fourth place in Group C. They are only one point off third-placed Saudi Arabia and four off second-placed Australia.

The top two will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup while the third- and fourth-placed sides will play another round of qualification.

Japan, the leaders of Group C, have already booked their World Cup berth.

It’s done! The full-time whistle goes off in Jakarta, and Indonesia have secured a vital 1-0 win over Bahrain in this crucial World Cup qualifier in Group C.

The Indonesian players in the dugout look tense. Can their team hold on for a solid win? We have already gone past four minutes of added time.

90+7 mins: Indonesia 1-0 Bahrain

Indonesia have another player down! This time it’s Kambuaya who is being taken off on a stretcher.

Meanwhile, Ridho is limping on the sideline but is going to come back on the field.

90+5 mins: Indonesia 1-0 Bahrain

Head coach Kluivert is signalling the team from the sideline to play a 5-3-1 formation while they are a player short.

90+3 mins: Indonesia 1-0 Bahrain