FIFA International Friendly | Tuesday, 9 June 2026 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia | Attendance: 29,889 | Referee: Muhammad Taqi Al-Jaafari
Ole Romeny scored in the 12th minute and Indonesia protected it for 78 more. Not the most entertaining evening. One goal, one clean sheet, three points of preparation. Job done.
Indonesia head to the World Cup with two wins from their last two friendlies. The 3-0 over Oman on June 5, then this. Back-to-back clean sheets. A squad that knows how it wants to set up and is executing it consistently. John Herdman will take that.
Mozambique arrive at the Gelora Bung Karno having lost 4-1 to Oman just two days earlier. Same Oman that Indonesia beat 3-0 before this. The common opponent told you everything you needed to know about where the gap in quality was. And the match confirmed it.
The first half was straightforward. Indonesia in their 3-4-3 pressed high and won the ball back in the middle third regularly. Romeny — the Dutch-eligible striker who has become one of Herdman’s most important players since committing to Indonesia — got the goal early. The move built through the right channel. The cross came in. Romeny converted. 1-0 in the 12th minute. 29,889 at the Gelora Bung Karno were up immediately.
From there Indonesia managed the game. Maarten Paes — another of the diaspora players who have transformed this squad — had barely any work to do in goal. Mozambique did not register a shot on target from what the data showed. Indonesia’s defensive structure of Baggott, Ridho and Pamungkas held firm and gave the attack very little to worry about.
Ivar Jenner and Joel Pelupessy controlled the central areas. Calvin Verdonk and Kevin Diks provided the width from wing-back positions and caused Mozambique problems whenever they pushed forward. Marselino Ferdinan and Ragnar Oratmangoen stayed active in the attacking third and looked dangerous on the counter even when nothing came of it directly.
Mozambique tried in the second half. Substitutions came for both sides — Indonesia made changes across the board from the 56th minute onward, introducing fresh legs while protecting the lead. Mozambique pushed more men forward in the final third but the Indonesian back three was composed and organised. A yellow card for Indonesia in the 80th minute was the most noteworthy event of the closing stages.
1-0 at full time. Comfortable. Controlled. Exactly what Herdman wanted.
The wider picture for Indonesia going into the World Cup is genuinely exciting. They qualified for their first World Cup since 1938 — 88 years. The diaspora policy, allowing eligible players with Indonesian heritage to represent the national team, changed everything. Romeny, Baggott, Paes, Diks, Verdonk, Jenner, Oratmangoen — this squad is unrecognisable from what it was five years ago. Herdman took over and built structure around the talent. The results have followed.
Their group at the World Cup is tough. They face Japan, Senegal and Norway. None of those are beatable on paper. But they have nothing to lose. First World Cup in almost nine decades. A nation of 270 million people watching. The Gelora Bung Karno will be with them in spirit across North America.
Mozambique go home having taken a beating from Oman and then losing to Indonesia back-to-back. They are making their World Cup debut too — Africa qualifying produced them as one of the continent’s representatives. Their group has its own challenges. But two losses in two matches without scoring, conceding five goals in total, is not the preparation any coaching staff would have chosen. Improvements needed before the tournament starts.
For live World Cup coverage from day one, visit fawanews.org.uk. Full squads, groups and fixtures at the official FIFA World Cup website.
Indonesia 1-0 Mozambique FIFA International Friendly | Tuesday, 9 June 2026 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta | Attendance: 29,889 | Referee: Muhammad Taqi Al-Jaafari
Goal: Ole Romeny 12′ (Indonesia) Yellow Cards: Indonesia 1 — Mozambique 0
Indonesia (3-4-3): Paes; Baggott, Ridho, Pamungkas; Diks, Pelupessy, Jenner, Verdonk; Oratmangoen, Romeny, Ferdinan
Stats: Half-time 1-0 | Mozambique shots on target: 0
