Indonesia vs Japan 0-4: AFC World Cup Qualifier – As It Happened
In a commanding display, Japan** asserted their dominance over Indonesia with a resounding 4-0 victory in an AFC World Cup qualifier held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The match, part of the qualification campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saw Japan continue their impressive form under coach Hajime Moriyasu, while Indonesia struggled to cope with the fast-paced and clinical style of their more experienced opponents.
First Half: Japan Takes Early Control
From the opening whistle, Japan set the tempo of the match, using their technical prowess and tactical discipline to quickly overwhelm the Indonesian defence. It took just 12 minutes for Japan to break the deadlock. The goal came from a brilliant counter-attack, starting with a quick transition from midfield. Daichi Kamada played a perfectly weighted through ball to **Takumi Minamino**, who darted past his marker before calmly slotting the ball past Indonesian goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata to give Japan a 1-0 lead.
Indonesia struggled to maintain possession against Japan's press, and despite showing occasional glimpses of attacking intent, they were unable to break through the disciplined Japanese defense. The home side’s hopes of leveling the score were dashed just before the half-hour mark. Japan doubled their lead in the 28th minute, as **Maya Yoshida**, the veteran center-back, rose highest at a corner to head the ball past Argawinata. The 2-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the one-sided nature of the first half, as Japan’s attacking players consistently found space, while Indonesia lacked the quality to respond.
With Indonesia unable to establish any rhythm in attack, the first half ended with Japan firmly in control. The Indonesian supporters, though loud and passionate, began to show signs of frustration as their team struggled to keep pace with the visitors.
Second Half: Japan Ramps Up the Pressure
The second half began with a renewed sense of urgency from Indonesia, but Japan’s superior fitness and organization soon put an end to any hopes of a comeback. In the 53rd minute, Japan further extended their lead with a clinical strike from **Kaoru Mitoma**, the Brighton & Hove Albion winger. Mitoma, who had been a constant threat down the left, picked up the ball in space just outside the box and unleashed a powerful shot that curled into the top corner of the net, leaving Argawinata with no chance. At 3-0, the match seemed effectively over, but Japan wasn’t finished yet.
Japan’s fourth goal came just 10 minutes later in the 63rd minute. Ritsu Doan, another player familiar to European fans after his time in the Bundesliga, showcased his technical ability with a deft finish from a tight angle. After a quick exchange of passes in the box, Doan found himself in the perfect position to fire past the Indonesian goalkeeper and seal a 4-0 advantage. By this point, Japan had total control of the match, and the game effectively turned into a training session for the well-oiled Japanese machine.
Indonesia’s Struggles and Japan’s Masterclass
Despite the heavy defeat, Indonesia never stopped fighting. The home team continued to press forward, especially through their star player, **Egy Maulana Vikri**, but were consistently thwarted by Japan’s solid defense and the sharp reflexes of goalkeeper **Shuichi Gonda**. Indonesia’s best chances came in brief moments when they found space on the counter, but they lacked the final product to break down Japan’s defense.
As the match drew to a close, Japan were comfortable in possession, dictating the tempo and easing to victory. The final whistle confirmed a dominant 4-0 score-line, cementing Japan’s position as one of the top teams in Asia.
Post-Match Reaction
After the game, Japan's coach **Hajime Moriyasu** praised his team's professional performance. "We executed our game plan well, and I’m happy with the way we transitioned from defense to attack. There are still areas to improve, but this was a good performance," Moriyasu said in his post-match interview. He also highlighted the contributions of his key players, including Minamino and Mitoma, who were instrumental in breaking down the Indonesian defence.
On the other hand, Indonesia's coach Shin Tae-yong acknowledged his team's shortcomings, especially in defense. "We were not able to match Japan’s speed and intensity," he said. "It’s a difficult lesson, but we will learn from this experience and work harder for the next matches."
Conclusion
With this victory, Japan strengthened their position in the AFC World Cup qualifiers, continuing their pursuit of automatic qualification for the 2026 tournament. The match was a testament to the gap in quality between the two sides, with Japan showing the clinical finishing and tactical maturity expected of a top-tier Asian team. For Indonesia, the defeat highlighted the need for improvement, particularly in terms of defence and the ability to compete with the continent’s best. As both teams look ahead to their next fixtures, the result leaves Japan in a strong position, while Indonesia will need to regroup and rebuild if they hope to challenge in this qualification campaign.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0