KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia trailed by three goals at halftime in their match against Japan at Suita Stadium, Osaka Prefecture, on Tuesday, with Daichi Kamada (15', 45+5') and Takefusa Kubo (19') finding the net.

In this final Group C fixture of the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Indonesia struggled against the Asian powerhouse. The Garuda defense held firm for the first ten minutes but soon began to show vulnerabilities, antaranews.com reported.

In the 10th minute, Shuto Machino found space for a header off Junnosuke Suzuki’s cross from the left, but his effort sailed over the goal guarded by Emil Audero.

Japan continued their fluid passing game, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when Kamada headed the ball past Emil. Kamada ran unmarked from midfield into Indonesia’s penalty area, perfectly positioning himself to meet Shunsuke Mito’s cross from the left. Japan led 1-0.

Just four minutes later, Kubo extended Japan’s lead to 2-0 with a dazzling solo effort that dismantled Indonesia’s defense. Following a corner kick, the Real Sociedad player found himself free on the left and fired a shot that Emil managed to parry. However, Kubo quickly seized the rebound and struck again, this time decisively sending the ball into Indonesia’s net.

Indonesia’s woes deepened when Kevin Diks suffered an injury and was replaced by Yakob Sayuri in the 27th minute. Coach Patrick Kluivert’s troubles compounded when Yakob, who had just come on, had to be substituted again in the 42nd minute due to an injury sustained in a collision. Marselino entered in his place.

These changes forced Yance Sayuri to drop from his original right-wing position to fill in at right-back. Beckham Putra shifted to right-wing, while Marselino took over on the left.

Near the end of the first half, Kubo nearly scored his second goal in the 44th minute, but his chipped shot drifted wide.

Despite missing several star players, Japan sealed their 3-0 victory when Kamada netted his second goal. The Crystal Palace midfielder, fresh off an FA Cup triumph, showcased his skill by dribbling past Mees Hilgers, Jay Idzes, and finally Emil before delicately chipping the ball into the net.

Starting lineups:

Japan: Keisuke Osako (GK), Kota Takai, Ryota Morishita, Ayumu Seko, Kaishu Sano, Wataru Endo, Takefusa Kubo (C), Shunsuke Mito, Daichi Kamada, Shuta Machino, Junnosuke Suzuki.

Coach: Hajime Moriyasu.

Indonesia: Emil Audero (GK), Kevin Diks, Mees Hilgers, Justin Hubner, Yance Sayuri, Thom Haye, Joey Pelupessy, Beckham Putra, Dean James, Ole Romeny.

Coach: Patrick Kluivert.