Predictions World Cup Qualifying Asia - Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia | September 6, 2024

World Cup Qualifying Asia - Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia
Match Time: 06-09-2024 01:00 Friday (GMT+7)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Italy's Euro 2020-winning manager Roberto Mancini is now under much scrutiny to improve Saudi Arabia's results after an underwhelming start following jumping ship from the Azzurri last year.

AFC's qualifying section has been expanded along with the World Cup itself, and avoiding the fourth round and the playoffs is to be expected of the continent's top nations.

The top two in each group will pass directly through to the fifth round, but the Saudis face tough opposition in the form of Japan and Australia in their group.

After losing in the last 16 of the Asian Cup and finishing second behind Jordan in the previous round's group phase, the Green Falcons' ranking has taken a hit, as a defeat at home to the Jordanians and a draw in Tajikistan was costly.

Winning none of his first four games in charge was hardly an ideal start, but all will be forgotten if Mancini can lead the country to North America in two years' time.

Three points is an absolute certainty here against the rank outsiders in the section, Indonesia, who are the only nation to make it this far having started in the first qualifying round.

After beating minnows Brunei 12-0 on aggregate at that stage, Indonesia got the better of Vietnam and the Philippines to make it this far, finishing second behind Iraq in the previous round.

The side ranked 133rd in the world have only reached the World Cup once, 86 years ago when they competed as the Dutch East Indies, and they will be looking to stun Bahrain and China to claim fourth place in this group which would see them advance.

A 3-0 success in Vietnam was critical, and Team Garuda sealed their progression with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines in the last international break.

Against tougher opposition though, Indonesia will be tested to their limits, and a 4-0 defeat to Australia in the round of 16 of the Asian Cup in January shows the gulf in class.

The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams gives nations like Indonesia the chance to dream, but this will be a huge ask for them, and bottom place in this section is the most probable outcome.

Prediction: Saudi Arabia 4-0 Indonesia