Indonesia U-17 Keep Round of 32 Hopes Alive With Victory Over Honduras, Qualification Hangs in the Balance

Doha – Indonesia’s U-17 national team secured a 2-1 victory over Honduras in their final Group H match of the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, but their advancement to the Round of 32 remains uncertain, hinging on the results of other group matches.

Playing at Pitch 2 of the Aspire Zone in Al Rayyan on Monday, November 10, 2025, the Garuda Muda, coached by Nova Arianto, clinched a crucial win after suffering defeats in their opening two fixtures.

Evandra Florasta and Fadly Alberto were the goalscorers for Indonesia, while Luis Gabriel Suazo Secchi netted the consolation goal for Honduras. The victory marked a significant turnaround for Indonesia, who had previously been trounced 1-3 by Zambia and 0-4 by Brazil.

The win propelled Indonesia to third place in Group H with three points, trailing Brazil and Zambia, who both finished with seven points. Indonesia’s hopes now rest on securing a spot as one of the four best third-placed teams to qualify for the knockout stage.

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However, their chances of progressing through this route are slim. As it stands, Indonesia is currently ranked ninth in the standings for third-placed teams, with only the top eight advancing.

Following their match against Honduras, Indonesia’s fate depends on the performances of Paraguay and Saudi Arabia, two other third-placed teams who are still in contention. Both teams were scheduled to play their final group matches on Tuesday, November 11.

Paraguay and Saudi Arabia both have three points, but boast a superior goal difference compared to Indonesia. Both teams have a goal difference of 0, having scored and conceded three goals each. Indonesia, on the other hand, has a goal difference of -5, having scored three goals and conceded eight.

For Indonesia to have any realistic chance of qualifying, Paraguay and Saudi Arabia needed to suffer heavy defeats in their final matches. Specifically, both teams needed to lose by a margin of at least 0-6.

In their respective final group matches, Saudi Arabia faced Mali, while Paraguay took on the Republic of Ireland. Defeats of such magnitude for Saudi Arabia and Paraguay would drastically improve Indonesia’s goal difference and potentially elevate them into the qualifying spots.

Adding another layer of complexity, the Czech Republic also had a game in hand. However, with a goal difference of +4, the Czech Republic would have needed to lose by a margin of 10 goals for Indonesia to leapfrog them in the standings.

The permutations are complex, leaving Indonesia’s fate hanging in the balance. While the odds are stacked against them, the possibility of an unexpected turn of events remains.

Current Standings of Third-Placed Teams in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup:

Pos	Grp	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	G	North Korea	3	1	1	1	6	3	+3	4	Knockout stage
2	B	Marko	3	1	0	2	16	8	+8	3
3	I	Czech Republic	2	1	0	1	7	3	+4	3
4	D	Tunisia	3	1	0	2	6	3	+3	3
5	E	Egypt	3	1	1	1	5	5	0	4
6	J	Paraguay	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3
7	L	Saudi Arabia	2	1	0	1	3	3	0	3
8	F	Mexico	3	1	0	2	3	5	-2	3
9	H	Indonesia	3	1	0	2	3	8	-5	3
10	A	Qatar	3	0	2	1	1	2	-1	2
11	K	Uganda	2	0	1	1	2	3	-1	1
12	C	Costa Rica	3	0	1	2	2	5	-3	1

(A) – Already qualified for the Knockout Stage
(E) – Eliminated from the tournament

Indonesia’s Journey in the Group Stage

Indonesia’s campaign in Group H was a rollercoaster, marked by both disappointment and resilience. The opening match against Zambia saw them concede a 3-1 defeat, exposing vulnerabilities in their defense. The subsequent game against Brazil was even more brutal, with the South American giants dominating and securing a 4-0 victory.

The pressure was on for Indonesia to deliver in their final match against Honduras, and they managed to rise to the occasion. The 2-1 win provided a glimmer of hope, showcasing the team’s fighting spirit and attacking potential.

Key Players and Performances

Evandra Florasta emerged as a key player for Indonesia, contributing crucial goals and demonstrating attacking prowess. Fadly Alberto also played a vital role, adding to the team’s attacking threat and securing a goal in the crucial match against Honduras.

Coach’s Perspective

Coach Nova Arianto acknowledged the challenges faced by the team throughout the group stage. He praised the players’ resilience and determination, emphasizing the importance of learning from their mistakes and improving their performance in future tournaments.

"We knew it would be a tough group, and we faced some difficult moments," said Arianto. "But the players showed great character to bounce back and secure the win against Honduras. We will continue to work hard and develop our young talents."

Tournament Context and Qualification Scenarios

The 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup features 24 teams, divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 16.

The qualification process for third-placed teams is based on the following criteria, in order:

Points obtained in all group matches
Goal difference in all group matches
Number of goals scored in all group matches
Fair play points system
Drawing of lots by FIFA

With Indonesia currently sitting outside the qualifying spots, their hopes depend on a combination of favorable results and a significant improvement in their goal difference.

The Road Ahead

Whether or not Indonesia progresses to the Round of 32, their participation in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup represents a valuable experience for the young players. The tournament provides a platform for them to showcase their talent on the global stage and gain exposure to international competition.

The future of Indonesian football hinges on the development of these young talents, and their participation in tournaments like the U-17 World Cup is crucial for their growth and progress.

The final results of Paraguay vs Republic of Ireland and Saudi Arabia vs Mali will ultimately determine Indonesia’s fate in the tournament.

(yna/ran)

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Ahmad Zein Salamo: Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

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