Socceroos Held to Scoreless Draw by Indonesia

The Socceroos' World Cup qualifying campaign has faced significant setbacks after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Indonesia, adding to their previous 1-0 loss against Bahrain. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, including 19 shots and 19 corners, Australia failed to score, leaving them in fifth place in Group C. Teenager Nestory Irankunda showcased potential with a near-goal that hit the post, but the team lacked finishing ability in front of a large crowd in Jakarta. Head coach Graham Arnold expressed frustration over the missed opportunities and emphasized the need for improvement ahead of crucial matches against China and Japan. The results have raised concerns about the Socceroos' chances for automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup, making their upcoming matches vital for their aspirations. A potential selection boost for the squad could come from A-League players if Arnold opts to include them in the upcoming fixtures, particularly with players like Daniel Arzani looking to prove themselves.