INDONESIA CONTINUE TO RISE WITH PROGRESS IN WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS THE LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

Indonesia are through to the third and final round of Asian qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup for the first time after sealing a top-two finish in Group F with Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Philippines. BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

 Another box ticked, another achievement unlocked.

As Indonesia continue to go from strength to strength under Shin Tae-Yong, their latest accomplishment is arguably their most significant yet.

On Tuesday, with a 2-0 win over Philippines, the Indonesians went through to the third and final round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

They have never before got this far, although they did feature at the 1938 World Cup as the Dutch East Indies -- nearing a century ago when qualification for football's biggest stage was a far-less drawn out process.

In fact, only two Asian teams were in the running back then and, even so, the Dutch East Indies qualified automatically after Japan withdrew.

This time, even just to get to the third round of the Asian qualifiers, Indonesia have had been made to work far more.

In fact, Indonesia were one of the lower-ranked nations that actually began their campaign in the first round last October -- where they comfortably cruised through with a 12-0 aggregate victory over Brunei Darussalam.

Come the second round, the luck of the draw did lend a helping hand to the Indonesians.

While the clear favourites in Group F were Iraq, the fact that Indonesia were also pitted against familiar foes in Vietnam and Philippines meant they always had a chance.

Matches among these Southeast Asian teams are often close contests and, while Vietnam was the region's leading light the last time out -- being the only ASEAN outfit to make the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup -- the gap has closed significantly.

In comparision, other Southeast Asian hopefuls like Thailand and Singapore always faced a tougher path to progress coming up against traditional powerhouses South Korea and China, while Myanmar were as good as out from the moment they were handed their fate of Japan, Syria and North Korea.

But, for Indonesia, progress was a realistic aim.

In the end, it boiled down to back-to-back ties against Vietnam in March, where Indonesia would prevail 1-0 and 3-0 respectively -- results which would ultimately go a long way in seeing them finish four points clear of their opponents in second place in the group.

Indonesia's quest to reach the next round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup gathered steam in March when they claimed back-to-back wins over Vietnam, which ultimately proved crucial in the final four-point lead over their opponents. Minh Hoang/Getty Images

Thus continues Indonesia's rise since Shin took over at the helm at the end of 2019.

Earlier this year, they returned to the AFC Asian Cup for the first time since 2007 and achieved a maiden knockout round appearance.

Back in April, the U-23 team - also under Shin - remarkably finished fourth in their AFC U-23 Asian Cup debut and then narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification after losing a intercontinental playoff against Guinea.

Last year, the U23s had already claimed the Southeast Asian Games gold medal for the first time since the men's football competition transitioned from a senior to age-group tournament.

Come the end of 2024, Indonesia could even have more joy as they look a genuine chance to win a maiden ASEAN Championship crown following the previous heartbreak of six runners-up finishes.

Of course, the biggest dream remains qualifying for the World Cup.

Indonesia will be under no illusions -- that goal, for now, is closer to being a dream rather than a distinct possibility.

They will face far tougher tests in the third round of Asian qualifiers. Even if there are now eight automatic spots on offer following the World Cup's expansion to 48 teams, a dozen or so teams loom as likelier contenders -- even if usual suspects like Japan, South Korea and Iran are removed from the equation.

Progress, however, can come in many forms. Not solely with reaching the next World Cup as the be all and end all.

Competitive displays against superior opposition could also be the yardstick.

The fact of the matter remains that, having already gotten this far and for all they have shown in recent times, Indonesia are -- well and truly -- firmly on the rise.

- Gabriel Tan 

CRUCIAL EVENING FOR ASEAN HOPEFULS WITH WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION PROGRESS STILL REALISTIC FOR SOME

Despite losing their last two outings against Oman, Malaysia still stand a chance of reaching the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- having previously won their opening two ties against Kyrgyz Republic and Chinese Taipei. How Foo Yeen/Getty Images

 As the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reaches its penultimate match day on Thursday, things are certainly going down to the wire -- especially for the competition's Southeast Asian hopefuls.

All seven of the region's representatives still have a chance of progressing to the next stage and keeping their World Cup dream alive, although some have more legitimate prospects than others.

Here, we take a look at where each of them stand and what they must do in order to advance.

MYANMAR

Bottom of Group B with just one point to their names, Myanmar are still mathematically capable of finishing inside the top two but, based on what they have served up so far, they are the least likely suspects from all of ASEAN's contenders.

The only time they have avoided defeated so far was a remarkable 1-1 draw against Syria, although the fact that they currently have a negative goal difference of 17 highlights the gulf in class between them and the rest of the group.

Myanmar have it all to do -- even on home soil -- against powerhouses Japan on Thursday, before finishing their campaign against a North Korea outfit that is also currently outside the qualification zone and in desperate need of points.

THAILAND

Finding themselves in what has proven to be one of the trickiest groups of the campaign, Thailand currently sit three points behind second-placed China -- who they visit on Thursday in what should be a pivotal tie.

It was a 2-1 loss in their previous clash last November -- a game in which the Thais could, and perhaps should, have won -- that ultimately sealed the fate of former coach Alexandre Polking, even if he was only dismissed after the following match.

Should Thailand be able to pull off an upset, it would put them in a promising position given they finish up against Group C's bottom side Singapore while the Chinese have to play away to heavily-fancied South Korea.

Both Thailand and Singapore can still qualify from Group D of the second round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup -- although the former stand a better chance as they sit just three points adrift of second-placed China. Suhaimi Abdullah/NurPhoto via Getty Images

SINGAPORE

Like Myanmar, Singapore are yet to be eliminated despite picking up just a solitary point thus far.

But with South Korea being their next immediate assignment on Thursday, the Lions could soon be turning their attentions elsewhere -- especially given they were beaten 5-0 by the same opposition in the reverse encounter.

Singapore then finish up against Thailand next Tuesday, which should offer plenty of incentive regardless of their qualification status -- given their regional rivalry and the fact that both sides have been drawn to meet again at the end of the year in the ASEAN Championship.

MALAYSIA

A campaign that started so bright has now hit a few bumps but Malaysia remain very much in with a shout of progressing to the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers.

Despite losing their past two Group D games to Oman, Harimau Malaya will now finish up against Kyrgyz Republic and Chinese Taipei -- the two teams they beat previously when they opened their campaign in flawless fashion.

Three points off the pace at the moment, Malaysia will be heavy favourites in next Tuesday's home game against already-eliminated Chinese Taipei -- meaning they would take a huge step towards progressing should they be able to overcome Kyrgyz Republic on Thursday.

INDONESIA

In a Group F that boasts three Southeast Asian hopefuls, it is Indonesia who are currently in pole position to join the already-qualified Iraq in the next round.

Four points ahead of Vietnam in second place, the Indonesians do have a tough test on Thursday against the Iraqis but their recent displays against more-fancied opposition -- coupled with home advantage at the intimidating Gelora Bung Karno Stadium -- will see them believing in their chances of a shock result.

Even if they do lose, Indonesia can guarantee their spot in the next stage as long as they beat Philippines in their final second-round tie next week.

Indonesia head into the final two games of their second-round campaign in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup knowing that a solitary win would be enough to see them finish second in Group F ahead of Vietnam and Philippines. EPA/LUONG THAI LINH

VIETNAM

For a side that did so well to reach the third round of Asian World Cup qualifiers last time out, Vietnam are now at real risk of missing out.

Thursday's home game against Philippines offers a real opportunity to close the gap between them and second-placed Indonesia to just one point -- and it is a game they are expected to pick up maximum points in.

Nonetheless, they face the toughest final-day assignment of the lot in an away trip to Iraq, meaning they might have just left themselves with too much to do at the end.

PHILIPPINES

Bottom of Group F with just one point picked up so far, Philippines -- along with Myanmar and Singapore -- look the least likely to march on.

They have however played both ties against leaders Iraq, meaning they face slightly less-daunting ties against Vietnam and Indonesia over the next six days.

Philippines will still head into those games as the underdogs but the familiarity with those two teams, as well as the additional regional rivals factor, means that anything is possible.