Graham Arnold insists the Socceroos are not yet fully confident of their chances of direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but he was again left to mourn the many missed opportunities in a costly 0-0 draw with Indonesia.

Five days after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to Bahrain on the Gold Coast, Australia failed to score a winner against the world number 133 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. The Socceroos are goalless and have just one point from two games they were widely expected to win in the third round of qualifying, piling the pressure on Arnold and his charges.

The Socceroos (0-1-1, one point) need a top-two finish to qualify directly and are fifth in Group C. Saudi Arabia (four points) beat China (nil) 2-1 on Tuesday night despite being down to 10 men (1-0), while Japan and Bahrain (both on three points) play each other last night.

“There are eight games left and second place is four (points) at the moment,” Arnold said. “So it’s not like it’s a disaster, but I have to go home and think a lot.”

Australia had possession, 19 shots and 15 corners, but were still left to mourn their inability to break down the hard-working Indonesian defence, whom they beat 4-0 in the Asian Cup in January. A long-range shot against the post from Nestory Irankunda was the closest they came.

“Yeah, a hugely improved performance and the guys showed that, but they were hugely disappointed,” Arnold told Paramount Plus. “How many chances are we creating? How many chances are we getting? And it’s been a recurring theme for over a year.

“I thought the boys did really well. At the end of the day, you come here, a hostile crowd. I counted how many fans we had here – 14 – and the boys did their best. “They all admitted that their performance in the first game wasn’t good enough. They’re there (in the dressing rooms), they’re nasty about the result.”

Irankunda led the way with five substitutions as a second striker alongside Mitch Duke, who replaced the suspended Kusini Yengi, with Arnold hoping to get him in behind and one-on-one with defenders. The teenage sensation fired that superb long-range shot off the post in the 34th minute and was a clear bright spot alongside right-back Alessandro Circati.

Samuel Silvera was recalled to the right wing, while Keanu Baccus returned from injury in midfield, replacing Connor Metcalfe (injured), and Cam Burgess came in for Kye Rowles.

Mat Ryan was forced into a double save inside the first 20 seconds, but the Socceroos weathered the early storm and took control. Indonesia’s defence struggled after an Australian corner in the 21st minute, with a Circati volley blocked before goalkeeper Maarten Paes saved a powerful Harry Souttar strike.

Souttar forced Paes into a save with a header shortly afterwards as Australia piled on the pressure. Irankunda’s strike somehow bounced off Paes’ back to safety and a minute later Craig Goodwin struck a close-range shot past the keeper. Indonesia’s defence held firm until half-time but stifled the Socceroos’ attack after the break.

Arnold turned to Awer Mabil, Adam Taggart and Josh Nisbet to create an opening. Taggart almost created an immediate goal, but shot straight at Paes, while Mabil headed a header wide in the 78th minute.

The Socceroos next play China in Adelaide on October 10 and Japan in Saitama five days later.