RAFAEL STUICK SIGNING TURNS INDONESIAN EYES ON BRISBANE

Rafael Struick, 21, has joined Brisbane Roar from Dutch club ADO Den Haag. Angelo Blankespoor/Soccrates/Getty Images

The Brisbane Roar will be banking on similar on-field impact from Indonesia striker Rafael Struick after his signing sent the A-League club's social media following soaring.

The 21-year-old, who led Indonesia's line in their country's scoreless World Cup qualification draw with the Socceroos in Jakarta last week, was confirmed as the Roar's latest acquisition on Monday night.

In less than 24 hours the club's Instagram following has swelled from 69,000 to almost 100,000, a rise attributed to the fanatical Indonesian support base.

The post announcing Struick's arrival dwarfed the engagements garnered by posts confirming high-profile pair Juan Mata and Douglas Costa to the Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC respectively.

"I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to get started," Struick said. "Brisbane is a very big club, playing in a very strong competition.

"I'm excited to play in the A-League and make this move to the other side of the world to make a step outside of my comfort zone.

"I want to help the team as much as possible with my qualities; to score goals and provide assists."

Struick scored a double, including the goal of the tournament, for Indonesia in this year's under-23 Asian Cup quarterfinal victory over South Korea. They reached the semifinals of a campaign that included a win against Australia.

The Netherlands-born talent, eligible for Indonesia through his Javanese grandmother, has made 14 appearances for the country's senior team, coached by former Roar player Shin Tae-Yong.

Struick honed his trade in the Dutch youth system and has played for ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands' second tier since 2022.

The Roar's A-League Men's season begins against Auckland FC on Oct. 19.

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CHINA ALIVE IN WORLD CUP QUALIFYING DESPITE SOUTH KOREA LOSS

China goalkeeper Wang Dalei reacts after conceding a goal to South Korea in World Cup qualifying. Getty Images

 China squeezed into the third round of Asia's preliminaries for the 2026 World Cup by the narrowest of margins on Tuesday despite slipping to a 1-0 loss at the hands of South Korea in Seoul.

Indonesia, North Korea, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan also confirmed their progress to the next round with the Chinese qualifying as runners-up in Group C behind the South Koreans after Thailand could only register a 3-1 victory over Singapore.

Needing to win by three clear goals, or to score at least four with a two-goal victory margin to climb above the Chinese in the standings, Masatada Ishii's side fell agonisingly short of a spot in the draw for the next round on June 27.

Suphanat Mueanta put Thailand in front eight minutes before the break but Thailand-based forward Ikhsan Fandi levelled 12 minutes after the restart for the Singaporeans.

A frantic Thailand pushed forward as time ticked down with Poramet Arjvirai and Jaroensak Wonggorn scoring in the last 11 minutes to take their side closer to their target, but ultimately the War Elephants fell short.

The Chinese had earlier lost in Seoul World Cup Stadium when Paris Saint-Germain winger Lee Kang-in scored from close range in the 61st minute to leave Branko Ivankovic and his players sweating on the outcome of the game in Bangkok.

Indonesia, meanwhile, confirmed their progress to the third round for the first time with a comfortable 2-0 win in Group F over the Philippines at a buoyant Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

Netherlands-born midfielder Thom Haye put the home side in front 32 minutes into the game when he bent a perfectly judged right foot shot into the top corner of Kevin Mendoza's goal.

The victory was secured through a glanced header by Rizky Ridho in the 56th minute that gave the unprotected Mendoza little chance as Indonesia confirmed a second-place finish behind already-qualified Iraq.

Japan cruised to a 5-0 win over Syria in Hiroshima that fatally damaged the hopes of Hector Cuper's side, who were overtaken in Group B by North Korea as a result of Ri Jo Guk's hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Myanmar in Vientiane.

Kuwait finished second in Group A when Eid Al-Rashidi scored in the 81st minute to hand Afghanistan a 1-0 loss, with the Gulf state taking the runners-up spot behind Asian champions Qatar, who ended India's hopes with a 2-1 win in Al-Rayyan.

Kyrgyzstan confirmed their progress with a 1-1 draw with Group D winners Oman, who had already sealed their spot in the third round as Eldiyar Zarypbekov saw his 19th minute opener cancelled out by Abdul Aziz Khalfan's deflected strike.

The draw for the next round will feature 18 nations, including regular World Cup qualifiers Japan, South Korea, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia, who had all secured their berths ahead of Tuesday's group matches.

Uzbekistan, Jordan, Bahrain and Palestine have also qualified for the third phase, which will see teams compete for six of the continent's eight guaranteed spots in the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

- Reuters 

SPEEDS UP AS FAMILY NAME TOPS FP2 | 2023 GULAVIT JAKARTA E-PRIX

INDONESIA HELD BY VIETNAM IN AFF CUP SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG

 

Visitors Vietnam held hosts Indonesia to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the ASEAN Football Federation(AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup semi-final in Jakarta. 

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