Emil Audero Tipped to Be Indonesia's First-Choice Goalkeeper at 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup: Here's Why

Former Indonesia national team goalkeeper Hermansyah favors Emil Audero as the first-choice under the Garuda crossbar at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. He gave his assessment for one main reason: Audero's playing time in European competition is far more consistent than that of his two rivals, Maarten Paes and Nadeo Argawinata.

Audero, who is on loan at Rayo Vallecano from Como 1907, has featured in the club's last three La Liga matches. Although he conceded six goals, he helped Rayo beat Espanyol 2-1 and hold Osasuna to a 1-1 draw, after a 1-4 defeat at Real Madrid. For a goalkeeper who rarely gets opportunities at the top level, that run of appearances is valuable capital.

On the other hand, Maarten Paes has lost his position at Ajax Amsterdam. The arrival of Marc ter Stegen from the Germany national team left the 28-year-old goalkeeper with only one Eredivisie appearance, when Ajax thrashed Willem II Tilburg 5-1. Before ter Stegen arrived, Paes had recorded good results in Conference League qualifying with wins over Vojvodina (4-1 and 4-1) and Shelbourne (3-1 and 2-2).

Meanwhile, Nadeo Argawinata, newly transferred to Persija Jakarta from Borneo FC, has shown solid performances in the BRI Super League 2026/2027 with two clean sheets and only one goal conceded. Those stats make competition for the goalkeeper position even tighter, although in terms of international experience he still trails his two colleagues.

Hermansyah considers the technical quality of the three to be relatively equal. However, he stressed that international matches demand a different mental strength from domestic competition. "The mental factor has the highest point for becoming the main goalkeeper in this event because the pressure in international matches is different from the domestic league. In order, I think Emil Audero is still at the top. Followed by Maarten Paes and Nadeo Argawinata," he said.

"John Herdman will discuss with the goalkeeper coach to determine the best goalkeeper to field according to the game tactics. Usually their physical and mental condition will be assessed the day before match day." — Hermansyah, former Indonesia national team goalkeeper

Nevertheless, Hermansyah reminded that the final decision is in the hands of head coach John Herdman. According to him, Herdman will adjust the goalkeeper to the game plan prepared, including considering the players' physical and mental condition the day before the match.

The Indonesia national team will begin their campaign in Group A Division 1 against Singapore on Friday (9/25/2026), then Malaysia (9/28/2026), and Bangladesh (10/1/2026). With a squad of 11 local and naturalized players from the domestic league and 12 players based in Europe, competition in every position is certain to be fierce.

For the national football public, this goalkeeper debate is not merely a technical matter. The goalkeeper position often determines results in short tournaments like the ASEAN Cup, especially when facing the pressure of penalty kicks or quick counterattacks. Audero's experience in European competition can be an added value, but adapting to teammates in the back line, some of whom are based in the domestic league, remains homework.

If Herdman chooses Audero, he must be ready to face high public expectations demanding a clean sheet in the opening match. Conversely, if Paes or Nadeo is chosen, mental stability and communication with the center backs will be in the spotlight. Will this healthy competition produce a main goalkeeper truly ready to face tournament pressure? The answer will be seen in a matter of days.