Herdman Confirms Verdonk and Dean James to Join Indonesia National Team Tomorrow, Final 23-Man Squad

Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has confirmed that two overseas players, Calvin Verdonk and Dean James, will join the training camp on Wednesday (23/9/2026) after missing the opening session at Stadion Madya, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (22/9/2026). Both had just completed commitments with their respective clubs last weekend.

Verdonk, who plays for LOSC Lille, only watched from the bench as his team lost 1-2 to Nice. Meanwhile, Dean James played the full 90 minutes when Go Ahead Eagles drew with NEC Nijmegen. This situation forced both to delay joining the Garuda squad, which had already held its first training session with 21 players.

Herdman stated that the delay was purely due to club competition schedules, not an indication of any other issue. "They will arrive tomorrow. They played late on Sunday, so hopefully they can be here and train tomorrow afternoon," said the English coach.

Besides confirming the arrival of the two players, Herdman also refreshed the squad. He replaced Dony Tri Pamungkas with Shayne Pattynama, and Yakob Sayuri with Rizky Eka Pratama. The decision was made to maintain team balance ahead of the prestigious FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 tournament.

"Only that many are allowed, 23 names," Herdman stressed, affirming that the final composition is set.

Even without Verdonk and James in the first session, Herdman said he was satisfied with the physical condition of the players who were present. According to him, Thom Haye and his colleagues arrived fit and were therefore able to immediately undergo high-intensity training. "Yes, in some ways we are fortunate. In my view, the players came in healthy condition and tonight they trained at a very high intensity," he explained.

Herdman also highlighted the enthusiasm visible at the hotel where the team is staying. He sensed great energy from the players, who know exactly the target they must achieve. "The players are very excited. They know what their goal is and they came to give their best for the country," he added.

Indonesian context: The presence of Verdonk and James is crucial for the Indonesia national team's defense at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Verdonk, who plays in a top European league, brings valuable experience, while James has regular playing time in the Eredivisie. Both are expected to strengthen the solidity of a defense that will face Southeast Asian teams with a fast-paced style of play. For the national football public, this certainty eases concerns about squad readiness, especially after two player changes that had raised questions.

With Verdonk and James joining, Herdman now has full options to assemble his starting eleven. However, the next challenge is integrating them into the team's tactics in a short time before the opening match. Can both adapt immediately and become a solid wall in Garuda's back line? Only time will tell, but public expectations clearly demand uncompromising performance.