After Losing to the Indonesian National Team, Saudi Arabia Memes Want VAR to Be a Hot Topic

Kapanlagi.com - The thrilling match between the Indonesian national team and Saudi Arabia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers for the Asian zone on Tuesday (19/11) presented many unforgettable interesting stories. Held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), the Garuda squad managed to achieve a brilliant victory with a score of 2-0 thanks to two brilliant goals from Marselino Ferdinan. This is Indonesia's first victory in the third round of the qualifiers, and of course, it is a very proud moment.

However, this victory is not the only thing that drew attention. Social media was abuzz with a viral meme featuring the Saudi national team requesting VAR after the match. The meme was posted by the Instagram account @seasiagoal and immediately became a hot topic among netizens, illustrating how intense and emotional this match was.

Not only the meme, but several unique moments from the match also managed to capture attention, including impressive actions from the players. Here is an interesting summary regarding the course of the match and the presence of the meme that made the Saudi national team the center of attention, as reported by Kapanlagi.com from various sources, Wednesday (20/11).

1. Match Start: Indonesia's Dominance and Golden Opportunities

The Indonesian national team started the match with great enthusiasm, displaying a fierce game from the very first second. In the second minute, Marselino Ferdinan nearly shook the opponent's net thanks to a brilliant pass from Rizky Ridho, but unfortunately, his shot only hit the goalpost.

Refusing to give up, Indonesia continued to launch attacks, and in the fifth minute, Marselino created another golden opportunity with a header from a loose ball in the penalty area, but the effort was successfully blocked by a quick Saudi Arabian player.

The relentless wave of attacks from Indonesia reflected their dominance at the start of the match, while the clever combination between Sandy Walsh and Ragnar Oratmangoen left the Saudi Arabian defense stunned and under pressure.

2. Marselino Ferdinan's Brace: The Decisive Factor for Victory

Marselino Ferdinan stole the spotlight on the field with his brilliant performance, scoring two goals that led Indonesia to a glorious victory.

His first goal came in the 32nd minute, thanks to a mesmerizing feint that left Saudi Arabian defender Faisel Al-Ghamdi frozen, before he unleashed a precise shot that was unreachable by the opposing goalkeeper.

In the second half, precisely in the 57th minute, Marselino showcased his sharpness again by taking advantage of a quick counter-attack; he received a well-timed pass and calmly slotted the ball into the Saudi Arabian net.

His unique celebration, sitting casually on the edge of the field, became an unforgettable moment, adding color to an already extraordinary match. Marselino's outstanding performance was the key to Indonesia's success in achieving this historic victory.

3. Viral VAR Meme Appears

After a tense match, a funny meme about Saudi Arabia requesting VAR has become a hot topic online. A post from the Instagram account @seasiagoal features the Saudi Arabian team seemingly protesting the referee's decision, which was deemed unfair, and this meme successfully attracted the attention of netizens with over 26,000 likes.

One controversial moment occurred in the 24th minute when Justin Hubner received a yellow card after intercepting the Saudi Arabian player's head, although the referee ultimately chose not to issue a red card after reviewing the incident.

This meme not only reflects the intensity of the match on the field but also the pressure felt by the Saudi Arabian team. "How we recap the Saudi Arabia vs Indonesia match earlier," the account wrote teasingly.

4. Dramatic Player Actions: From Provocation to Failed Acting

This match was filled with controversial moments involving Saudi players, creating inevitable tension.

In the 22nd minute, Ali Albulayhi tried to provoke Sandy Walsh with a push, but Sandy calmly responded without causing any significant commotion.

One of the most striking incidents occurred in the 29th minute when Feras Albrikan pretended to fall due to a kick from Jay Idzes. However, after VAR intervened, it was revealed that Albrikan was merely acting, which ultimately benefited Indonesia.

The drama on the field further heated the atmosphere, showcasing the high emotions involved from both teams.

5. Cards and Tension at the End of the Match

As the match approached its conclusion, the atmosphere intensified with the emergence of several yellow cards, including a red card received by Justin Hubner in the 90+1 minute after receiving his second yellow card.

Despite having to defend with ten players, the Indonesian team displayed an extraordinary fighting spirit by maintaining their lead until the final whistle blew.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia continued to launch attacks, but their efforts were thwarted by the solid defense of the Garuda squad. This tension-filled match was a clear testament to the resilience of the Indonesian players' mentality.

6. Crucial Blocks and Maarten Paes' Saves

Goalkeeper Maarten Paes truly showcased his skills in guarding Indonesia's goal, especially when he made a spectacular save in the 97th minute, parrying a long-range shot from a Saudi Arabian player that nearly breached the net.

No less important, Rizky Ridho also performed brilliantly with a crucial block in the first half, ensuring that Saudi Arabia did not get a golden opportunity to score. The synergy between the goalkeeper and the solid defense was one of the key factors in the team's remarkable victory.

7. Supporters' Support and Euphoria in the Stadium

At the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, a joyful atmosphere enveloped the players and supporters celebrating their remarkable victory.

After the final whistle, the players paraded around the stadium with enthusiasm, even unhesitatingly dancing with the cheering supporters in the stands.

This euphoria is not just a celebration, but a reflection of how crucial this result is for Indonesia's journey in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The incredible support from the fans also serves as fuel for the players to perform at their best on the field.

8. Indonesia's Opportunities in Group C

With this brilliant victory, Indonesia has secured third place in Group C of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, and the hope of advancing further is getting brighter! The three remaining home matches present a golden opportunity that must be utilized as best as possible.

Coach Shin Tae-yong is optimistic, targeting at least third or fourth place to continue the struggle in the Asian play-offs. This positive result serves as a motivational boost for the Indonesian national team to face the upcoming challenges.

9. What was the final result of the Indonesia vs Saudi Arabia match?

The Indonesian national team made history by achieving a 2-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

This exciting match showcased the fighting spirit of the Garuda players, who managed to defeat a tough opponent and uplift the hopes of all football fans in the country towards the world stage.

10. Who is the player that became the hero in this match?

Marselino Ferdinan shone brilliantly as the field hero by shaking the net of the Saudi Arabian goal twice, showcasing his extraordinary talent and becoming the main highlight of the match.

11. What is the unique highlight of this match?

After a dramatic match, public attention turned to a viral meme depicting Saudi Arabia 'requesting' VAR, accompanied by thrilling actions from players that captured attention.

These moments not only invited laughter but also added excitement to the course of the match, making it a hot topic of conversation among football fans.

(kpl/rmt)