The Indonesian national team will face Japan in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers of the Asian Zone at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday, November 15, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. Jakarta time.
Japan currently tops Group C standings with 10 points, four points ahead of Australia, Saudi Arabia, and China. Meanwhile, Indonesia dropped to the bottom of the standings after China secured its second win over Bahrain on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
In this match, Indonesia is not favored to win against Japan. However, the historical record of Indonesia and Japan's encounters is not too bad for Indonesia. Since 1954, Indonesia has faced Japan 16 times in international competitions. Indonesia even triumphed once with a crushing 7-0 victory over Japan in the 1968 Merdeka Cup.
Indonesia's 7-0 Triumph Over Japan in 1968 Merdeka Cup
On August 11, 1968, Indonesia won the Merdeka Cup with a convincing victory over Japan. The Garuda team crushed Japan 7-0 at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia. The winning goals for Indonesia were scored by Jacob Sihasale with two goals, Sutjipto Suntoro with three goals, and additional goals from Abdul Kadir and Surya Lesmana.
Sutjipto Suntoro's Hattrick
In that match, Sutjipto Suntoro excelled as the main striker by scoring a hat-trick. His performance even caught the attention of the German club, Werder Bremen, who were interested in signing him. However, the political situation in Indonesia at the time made a transfer to Europe difficult, and Sutjipto continued his career in the country.
Indonesia's Dominance in the 1968 Merdeka Cup
Apart from Japan, Indonesia also defeated major countries in the Merdeka Cup. The Indonesian national team was able to defeat strong teams such as Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea. After defeating Japan 7-0, Indonesia also defeated Singapore 4-0 and crushed Taiwan 10-1.
Indonesia also faced South Korea in another match in Group A, just as Indonesia celebrated its Independence Day on August 17, 1968. Once again, the Red and White team came out on top with a 4-2 victory over South Korea at the Perak Stadium in Ipoh, Malaysia. Indonesia finished top of Group A with eight points from five matches.
Indonesia finished ahead of Australia with seven points, South Korea and Japan with six points each. In the semifinals, however, Indonesia's journey was cut short by Vietnam (formerly Burma) with a 2-1 defeat. Indonesia then faced Australia in the third-place playoff. Sutjipto Suntoro and his colleagues went home empty-handed after losing 3-1 to Australia.
Finally, the Indonesian national team finished fourth in the 1968 Merdeka Cup, which took place five months after President Suharto's inauguration. Indonesia failed to defend the title they won in the 1961 Merdeka Cup, which was also held in Malaysia.
A Moment of Pride for Indonesian Football
The 7-0 victory over Japan remains one of the proudest moments in Indonesian football history. The Merdeka Cup is also a prestigious tournament in Southeast Asia.
The Merdeka Cup, which began in 1957, is an international friendly football tournament held in Malaysia to celebrate the country's independence. However, the tournament was last held in 2013 and resumed after a decade.
Indonesia has won five times, drawn twice, and lost nine times against the Blue Samurai. Here is the all-time record of the Indonesia national team against Japan since 1954:
- Asian Games 1954: Japan 3-5 Indonesia
- 1967 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Japan 2-1 Indonesia
- 1968 Merdeka Cup: Indonesia 7-0 Japan
- 1970 Merdeka Cup: Japan 4-3 Indonesia
- Asian Games 1970: Japan 2-1 Indonesia
- 1972 International Friendly: Japan 0-1 Indonesia
- 1975 Merdeka Cup: Japan 4-1 Indonesia
- 1976 Merdeka Cup: Indonesia 2-1 Japan
- 1979 Kirin Cup: Japan 4-0 Indonesia
- 1979 Merdeka Cup: Japan 0-0 Indonesia
- 1981 International Friendly: Indonesia 2-0 Japan
- 1981 Merdeka Cup: Japan 2-0 Indonesia
- 1990 World Cup Qualifiers: Indonesia 0-0 Japan
- 1990 World Cup Qualifiers: Japan 5-0 Indonesia
- 2023 Asian Cup: Japan 3-1 Indonesia.
While Indonesia's recent performance in the World Cup qualifiers has been disappointing, it's important to remember the nation's rich history and achievements. The 7-0 victory against Japan in 1968 stands as a testament to the potential of Indonesian football and serves as an inspiration for future generations. The upcoming clash between the two nations promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams seeking to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
