Indonesia National Team Begins FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Preparation: 21 Players at First Training, 4 Absent
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- Sebanyak 21 pemain mengikuti sesi latihan perdana Timnas Indonesia di Stadion Madya, Jakarta, menjelang FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
- Empat pemain belum terlihat, termasuk Calvin Verdonk, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Dean James, dan Yakob Sayuri, memicu spekulasi kondisi mereka.
- Indonesia tergabung di Grup A dan akan menghadapi Singapura, Malaysia, serta Bangladesh di SUGBK, dengan laga pembuka melawan Singapura pada 25 September 2026.
The Indonesia national team held its first training session for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 at Madya Stadium, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/9/2026) afternoon WIB. A total of 21 players out of the 25 called up have joined, while four names were still absent, including defender Calvin Verdonk.
The session, which started at 17.00 WIB, was attended by several overseas players such as Maarten Paes, Thom Haye, Ragnar Oratmangoen, Jordi Amat, Kevin Diks, Elkan Baggott, Ole Romeny, Emil Audero, Justin Hubner, Nathan Tjoe-A-On, and Joey Pelupessy. In addition, local players such as Egy Maulana Vikri, Rizky Ridho, Nadeo Argawinata, Ivar Jenner, Rayhan Hannan, Dion Markx, Shayne Pattynama, Luke Vickery, Mitchell Baker, and Rizky Eka Pratama also took part in the session.
Coach John Herdman initially called up 23 players, but added two late names, Shayne Pattynama and Rizky Eka Pratama. Both immediately joined the first training session. Nevertheless, the four players who have yet to appear have drawn attention: Dony Tri Pamungkas, Calvin Verdonk, Dean James, and Yakob Sayuri. There has been no official statement from the coaching staff regarding the reason for their absence, whether due to club permission, injury, or administrative issues.
The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is an important event for Indonesia to gauge its strength ahead of a bigger tournament. Drawn in Group A, the Garuda Squad will face Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. The opening match against Singapore on 25 September 2026 will be the first test for Herdman's setup, followed by Malaysia three days later, and Bangladesh on 1 October 2026. All group matches will be held at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, which is expected to be both a fortress and a source of motivation for the players.
"We have a short preparation time, but the players have shown high commitment. Our focus is on building cohesion and making sure all players are ready physically and tactically," Herdman said during the training session, as quoted from an official statement.
The absence of four players in the first session could be a signal for Herdman to prepare backup options. Verdonk, who usually operates on the left side of defense, is one of the key players, while Yakob Sayuri and Dean James also have important roles in the back line. If they are absent longer, the English coach will have to think hard to craft the best composition, especially against opponents with pace on the wings.
On the other hand, the presence of overseas players from day one shows their seriousness in defending the Merah Putih banner. Players such as Maarten Paes, Thom Haye, and Ragnar Oratmangoen, who play in Europe, had to travel long distances but still arrived on time. This is a positive indication that the team's chemistry can be built more quickly.
For the Indonesian football public, the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is not just a regional tournament. It is a barometer of the national team's development under Herdman's leadership, as well as a chance to reclaim supremacy in Southeast Asia. Full support from the fans at SUGBK is expected to serve as the 12th player that lifts the performance of Rizky Ridho and company.
The big question: can the Indonesia national team make the most of the remaining preparation time to perform consistently in the three group matches? The answer will be seen starting 25 September.
