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VIVA – As it turned out, the Indonesian national team had missed the opportunity to qualify for the 1958 World Cup because they refused to be Israel's opponent. The Israel national team has made history by qualifying for the U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.
This is Israel's debut at the U-20 World Cup. Israel's victory raises pros and cons in Indonesia.
At that time, Indonesia successfully passed China in the first round with 2-0 of qualifying for the World Cup in the Asia-Africa zone at the Ikada Stadium on May 12, 1957, and then lost 3-4 to China at the Xiannongtan Stadium, Beijing.
Because they both won once, China and Indonesia met in a playoff match at a neutral venue. Garuda Squad Detained China 0-0 at Aung San Stadium, Rangoon, Burma, on June 23, 1957.
Indonesia qualified because it was superior to China, and met Israel in the second round.
Timnas Israel di EURO U-19 2022 melawan Inggris
- football.org.il
Meanwhile, Israel escaped without competing in the first round, after Turkey withdrew for refusing to compete in the Asian group.
Indonesia finally refused to fight Israel for political reasons on the instructions of President Soekarno. The Red and White squad had asked to compete at a neutral venue but was rejected by FIFA.
Egypt, which is in the same group, also decided to back off. Only Israel and Sudan are left in the final qualifying round. Later, Sudan also chose to resign because of the Arab country's boycott of Israel. With this record, Israel should have qualified directly for the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.
However, reported by The Guardian, FIFA does not want any team to qualify directly for the World Cup finals, without having played a single match in the qualifiers. FIFA also held a special playoff duel between Israel and one of the runners up from the UEFA group.
Initially, Belgium was appointed, but refused. In the end, it was Wales who became Israel's opponent.
Wales managed to bend Israel in two meetings. They won 2-0 at Ramat Gan Stadium. Then, won with the same score when appearing at Ninian Park, Cardiff. Finally, it was Wales who appeared in the 1958 World Cup while Israel did not.
