It's Time for the Indonesian National Team to End its Three Decades without Winning Over China

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesia is determined to win the ninth match of the 2026 World Cup qualifying third round Group C at Gelora Bung Karno Utama Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, Thursday (5/6/2025). Ahead of the match, Garuda's squad was overshadowed by a poor record after more than three decades of no wins against China.

Especially in the last meeting on October 15 at home to China, Indonesia, then still trained by Shin Tae-yong, had to swallow a bitter pill by suffering a 1-2 defeat. Quoted from RSSSF and 11v11 data, the last time Indonesia won from China was on February 20, 1987 in the King's Cup event in Thailand. At that time, Garuda's team won by a score of 3-1.

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After that, 38 years later, Indonesia has never been able to overcome the resistance of the Dragon team, having lost eight times and drawn twice. Indonesia's last defeat came last October, when they succumbed 1-2 to China in Qingdao.

Despite its poor record, Indonesia has ample capital to break the negative chain. They will play in front of tens of thousands of their own supporters, which will be an additional energy when playing

In addition, Indonesia has performed quite well in its last three matches as it has won twice, while China ended those three matches with a defeat.

Indonesia were also better in terms of goal productivity and defence than China after they scored eight goals and conceded 14 goals. Branko Ivankovic's team has scored six goals and conceded more, namely 19 goals.

The results of the last three games also affected the current provisional standings of Group C, where Indonesia is in a better position, namely fourth place with nine points, three points ahead of China in the caretaker position.

Here is Indonesia's record against China:

Indonesia 2-0 China - May 12, 1957 (World Cup Qualifier)

China 4-3 Indonesia - 02 June 1957 (World Cup Qualifier)

Indonesia 0-0 China - June 23, 1957 (World Cup Qualifier)

Indonesia 1-2 China - 19 May 1963 (Friendlies)

China 3-0 Indonesia - 17 August 1963 (Friendly)

Indonesia 1-1 China - 16 November 1963 (Ganefo)

China 3-0 Indonesia - August 10, 1963 (Ganefo Qualifier)

China 1-2 Indonesia - 05 May 1971 (Presidents Cup)

China 4-2 Indonesia - November 11, 1981 (King's Cup)

China 2-0 Indonesia - 03 March 1986 (King's Cup)

Indonesia 0-3 China - August 25, 1986 (Merlion Cup)