Japan National Football Team vs Indonesia National Football Team Lineups

The thrilling encounter between the japan national football team vs indonesia national football team lineups delivered an electrifying atmosphere at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. This crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier match showcased Japan’s dominance as they secured a commanding 4-0 victory over Indonesia on November 15, 2024. With over 60,000 passionate fans creating an intimidating fortress, the Blue Samurai demonstrated their class and championship pedigree in front of a hostile crowd, solidifying their position at the top of Group C.

The indonesia national football team vs japan national football team lineups revealed tactical masterclasses from both coaches, with Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu fielding an attacking formation while Indonesia’s Shin Tae-yong opted for a defensive setup hoping to frustrate the visitors. Key storylines included the debut of newly naturalized Indonesian defender Kevin Diks, Japan’s relentless pursuit of automatic World Cup qualification, and the torrential rain that turned the pitch into a challenging battleground for both sides.

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🏟️ Key Players and Teams Who Took the Field

Teams and Key Players

Match Details

Half-by-Half Scoring

Additional Breakdown Details

The japan national football team vs indonesia national football team lineups demonstrated the significant quality gap between the two nations, with Japan’s squad featuring players from top European leagues while Indonesia relied heavily on naturalized Dutch-Indonesian talents.

📊 Half-by-Half Breakdown

First Half

Key Moments: The opening 45 minutes saw Indonesia start brightly with Ragnar Oratmangoen forcing Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki into early action after a defensive error by Koki Machida in the 9th minute. However, Japan gradually took control of the match, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. The breakthrough came in the 35th minute when an unfortunate own goal by Justin Hubner gave Japan the lead. Just five minutes before halftime, Kaoru Mitoma delivered a pinpoint cross from the left flank, which Takumi Minamino expertly swept into the bottom corner with a first-time finish that left goalkeeper Maarten Paes helpless.

Shifts in Momentum: Indonesia’s early energy and crowd support gave them confidence in the opening 15 minutes, but Japan’s technical superiority began to show as they controlled midfield through Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita. The own goal completely shifted momentum, and Indonesia’s defensive organization collapsed as rain intensified the challenges.

Player Substitutions/Injuries: Kevin Diks, making his debut for Indonesia, suffered an injury just minutes after Japan’s second goal and was replaced by Sandy Walsh in the 41st minute, disrupting Indonesia’s defensive structure.

Notable Strategies: Japan employed patient build-up play, using Mitoma’s pace on the left wing to stretch Indonesia’s defense. Indonesia attempted to sit deep and hit on the counter, but their execution was poor as Japan’s pressing forced numerous turnovers.

Extra Insights: Heavy rainfall began around the 20-minute mark, creating treacherous conditions that favored Japan’s technical players. The 60,000+ Indonesian fans created an intimidating atmosphere, but Japan remained composed throughout.

Second Half

Key Moments: Japan emerged from the break with renewed intent and struck immediately in the 49th minute when Indonesian goalkeeper Maarten Paes made a catastrophic error, passing the ball directly to Hidemasa Morita, who calmly slotted it through two defenders’ legs. The fourth and final goal came in the 69th minute when substitute Yukinari Sugawara unleashed a thunderous strike that crashed into the roof of the net, beating Paes at his near post.

Shifts in Momentum: Any hope of an Indonesian comeback evaporated within minutes of the restart. Japan’s third goal demoralized the home side, and they struggled to create any meaningful attacks thereafter. The match became a procession as Japan controlled the tempo.

Player Substitutions/Injuries: Japan made tactical substitutions, bringing on Daizen Maeda for Takumi Minamino at halftime and Junya Ito for Kaoru Mitoma in the 62nd minute. Indonesia introduced Pratama Arhan for Yance Sayuri (62′) and Witan Sulaeman for Ragnar Oratmangoen (76′) in desperate attempts to salvage something from the match.

Notable Strategies: Japan focused on game management, maintaining possession and frustrating Indonesia with crisp passing. Indonesia pushed more bodies forward but left gaps at the back that Japan nearly exploited on several occasions.

Extra Insights: The crowd became subdued as the match wore on, with many fans leaving before the final whistle. Japan’s professional performance showcased their World Cup pedigree and preparation.

🌟 Highlight Standout Performances

Star Players and Their Stats

Shooting Statistics

Assists, Tackles, Interceptions

Clutch Moments:

• Zion Suzuki’s early save from Ragnar Oratmangoen prevented Indonesia from taking a shock lead
• Takumi Minamino’s clinical first-time finish killed Indonesia’s momentum just before halftime
• Yukinari Sugawara’s spectacular strike demonstrated Japan’s superior squad depth

Leadership and Teamwork: Captain Wataru Endo orchestrated Japan’s midfield with authority, dictating tempo and providing defensive cover. Jay Idzes showed tremendous leadership for Indonesia, organizing the backline and making crucial interventions despite the scoreline.

📈 Key Statistics

Final Score

Total Shots and Possession

Corners and Set Pieces

Discipline

Passing Accuracy

Defensive Statistics

🗣️ Quotes and Reactions

Post-Match Comments

From the Managers:

• Hajime Moriyasu (Japan Manager):
  

  “I’m happy that we’re top of the group, but we haven’t gained anything yet. Until we manage to secure the World Cup spot, we have to keep on winning.”

• Hajime Moriyasu on the Performance:
  

  “Our goal is to top the group in the World Cup qualifiers. I will lead Japan with confidence, and today showed our determination and quality.”

• Shin Tae-yong (Indonesia Manager):
  

  “Tomorrow’s match will surely be a tough challenge. But we aim to leave no regrets. No one knows the outcome of the match.”

From the Players:

• Takumi Minamino (Japan Forward):
  

  “We executed our game plan perfectly. The conditions were difficult with the rain, but we stayed focused and took our chances when they came.”

• Jay Idzes (Indonesia Defender):
  

  “We gave everything we had in front of our incredible fans. Japan is a world-class team, and we learned valuable lessons that will help us in future matches.”

• Hidemasa Morita (Japan Midfielder):
  

  “The atmosphere was incredible, but we remained calm and professional. Scoring early in the second half was crucial to killing the game.”

Expert Analysis

Emotional Takeaways

The passionate Indonesian supporters created an electric atmosphere, with over 60,000 fans hoping to witness an upset. However, Japan’s professionalism and quality proved too much, silencing the crowd as the match progressed. Despite the heavy defeat, Indonesian players showed commendable fighting spirit and never stopped trying until the final whistle.

🧠 Match Analysis

What Went Right

For Japan:

• Dominant midfield control: Wataru Endo and Hidemasa Morita completely controlled the center of the park, winning duels and recycling possession effectively
• Clinical finishing: Converting four goals from quality chances demonstrated their efficiency in front of goal
• Tactical discipline: Maintained shape and composure despite hostile atmosphere and challenging weather conditions
• Squad depth: Substitutes made immediate impact, with Yukinari Sugawara scoring spectacular goal
• Defensive solidity: Zion Suzuki made crucial early save and defense dealt with counter-attacks confidently

For Indonesia:

• Early pressure: Started match brightly and created early chance through Oratmangoen
• Defensive resilience: Jay Idzes and defenders made numerous clearances and blocks to limit damage
• Passionate support: 60,000+ fans created intimidating atmosphere that tested Japan early
• Never gave up: Continued fighting until final whistle despite heavy scoreline

What Went Wrong

For Japan:

• Early defensive lapse: Koki Machida’s mistake nearly gifted Indonesia early goal
• Could have scored more: Missed several clear opportunities to extend lead further

For Indonesia:

• Defensive errors: Own goal and goalkeeper mistake gifted Japan two easy goals
• Lack of quality in final third: Only managed two shots on target throughout entire match
• Unable to maintain early intensity: Energy levels dropped significantly after conceding first goal
• Midfield overwhelmed: Struggled to compete physically and technically against Japan’s superior midfielders
• Poor ball retention: Only 34% possession meant constant defending and limited attacking opportunities

Controversial Calls and Game-Changing Moments

Recent Form Comparison

Japan’s Path to the Match:

Indonesia’s Path to the Match:

The contrasting form highlighted the gulf in class between the two nations, with Japan’s consistency and quality evident throughout the qualifying campaign.

🏁 Conclusion

The japan national football team vs indonesia national football team lineups clash delivered a masterclass from the Blue Samurai, who demonstrated why they are considered one of Asia’s elite football nations. Japan’s comprehensive 4-0 victory moved them seven points clear at the top of Group C, putting them firmly in control of automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The clinical performance showcased their technical superiority, tactical intelligence, and mental fortitude in a hostile environment.

For Indonesia, despite the heavy defeat, the experience gained from competing against top-tier opposition will prove invaluable for their football development. The passionate support from 60,000+ fans at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium demonstrated the nation’s growing football fever and their determination to establish themselves on the international stage.

❓ FAQs Section

Q1: What was the final score of the Japan vs Indonesia match?

Japan defeated Indonesia 4-0 in Jakarta on November 15, 2024, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Third Round, Group C.

Q2: Who were the goal scorers for Japan?

The goals came from Justin Hubner (own goal, 35′), Takumi Minamino (40′), Hidemasa Morita (49′), and Yukinari Sugawara (69′). Takumi Minamino was named Man of the Match for his clinical finishing and overall performance.

Q3: What was the significance of this match?

This was a crucial World Cup qualifier that moved Japan seven points clear at the top of Group C, bringing them closer to automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Indonesia remained bottom of the group with only 3 points.

Q4: Where was the match played and what was the attendance?

The match was played at the iconic Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a capacity crowd of 60,304 passionate fans creating an electric atmosphere.

Q5: What formations did both teams use?

Japan employed an attacking formation (4-2-3-1/4-3-3 hybrid) focused on controlling possession and utilizing wide players like Kaoru Mitoma. Indonesia used a defensive 3-4-3 formation attempting to absorb pressure and counter-attack through Ragnar Oratmangoen.

Q6: How did weather conditions affect the match?

Torrential rain began around the 20-minute mark, making the pitch slippery and challenging for both teams. However, Japan’s technical players adapted better to the conditions, maintaining their passing accuracy and composure throughout the match.

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