JAKARTA - China's hopes of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup were dashed here Thursday night following a 1-0 defeat to Indonesia, prompting head coach Branko Ivankovic to take "significant" responsibility for the team's failure.

The loss, played under challenging conditions in Jakarta, ends China's campaign in the Asian qualifiers and extends its two-decade-long struggle to return to the World Cup.

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"This team has been fighting for this goal for over 20 years," Ivankovic said at a post-match press conference. "We believed that if we could reach the next stage from this tough group, we would have a strong chance of qualifying. But we didn't succeed, and as head coach, I definitely bear significant responsibility."

China won only two out of nine matches in Group C, which includes Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Indonesia, sitting at rock bottom with only six points.

Ivankovic, who took over the national team just over a year ago, emphasized the progress made during his tenure, particularly the focus on youth development.

"We've brought in a younger generation of players who have injected energy into the team," he said. "Based on their performances, I believe this team has a promising future."

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Ivankovic credited Indonesia for their strong performance, noting their improved squad since the last meeting between the two teams in October 2024, when China secured a 2-1 victory in Qingdao.

"Indonesia has added new talent, including both naturalized and local players," he said. "They're young, strong, and showed great quality today."

Acknowledging the difficult playing conditions, Ivankovic praised his squad's effort. "We knew this match would be tough - not just because of the opponent, but also the weather. I want to thank my players for fighting until the very last second."

When asked about Indonesia's prospects in the next round, Ivankovic responded diplomatically: "In football, nothing is guaranteed. I just wish them the best moving forward."

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Defeat to Indonesia

On Thursday night, just before the interval, China right-back Yang Zexiang fouled Indonesia's midfielder Ricky Kambuaya inside the penalty area. Oxford United forward Ole Romeny stepped up to convert the spot-kick past goalkeeper Wang Dalei in the 45th minute.

Despite opportunities from 18-year-old Wang Yudong, who tested Indonesia's goalkeeper in both halves, China failed to find an equalizer. Meanwhile, the visitor's task grew harder when defender Han Pengfei sustained a first-half injury.

With only one game remaining, China cannot finish in the top four of Group C. China now sits bottom of the group with six points from nine matches, while Indonesia climbs to third with 12 points. Only the top two teams in each six-team group will directly qualify for the World Cup, with third- and fourth-placed moving to another phase of qualifying.

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Japan and Iran have already qualified from Asia for the 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

China last qualified for the FIFA World Cup in 2002 and has failed to reach the finals ever since.