Indonesia National Team Training at STIK Jakarta: Herdman's Secret Tactics and the Photo Ban That Caused a Stir

The Indonesia national team has chosen the Stadium of the Police Science College (STIK) in South Jakarta as its training base ahead of the opening match of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 against Singapore on Friday (25/9/2026) evening WIB. The decision marks a shift in habit, as the Garuda squad had always trained in the Gelora Bung Karno complex. The session on Thursday (24/9/2026) was held behind closed doors, with tight security that even barred STIK dormitory residents from capturing the moment on their phones.

A minor incident occurred when several dormitory residents tried to record the training activity from a distance. Security officers promptly reprimanded them in a firm tone, "Hey, no photos, no videos," while pointing toward the dormitory building. The ban was not without reason. According to an internal source, sterilizing the area is crucial to prevent leaks of the tactics being honed by John Herdman, the new Indonesia national team coach.

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir revealed that Herdman made a specific request: a pitch fully dedicated to tactical preparation, complete with technological devices that cannot simply be moved. "Perhaps Coach John Herdman requested a pitch that can be used for tactics. He will place equipment on the training pitch that cannot just be lifted and installed," Erick said. PSSI moved quickly to grant the request, recognizing that wasted logistics time could disrupt the preparation rhythm amid a packed tournament schedule.

The choice of STIK as a training base also offers the advantage of secrecy. Located inside a police complex, the area is relatively sterile from opponent surveillance and crowds of fans. This allows Herdman and his staff to design game plans without the risk of leaks. Previously, training around Gelora Bung Karno was often open to the public, so certain tactics could be seen by anyone. Now, with layered security, the Indonesia national team can focus on the technical details that are the hallmark of the English coach.

For the national football public, this decision has sparked discussion about how far the modernization of tactical approaches is needed. Herdman is known as a coach who relies on data and deep analysis, including the use of motion-tracking devices and video systems that require special installation. The need for a pitch not used by other teams is a logical consequence. If the equipment has to be reinstalled every session, preparation time could be cut by up to 60 minutes—something that is not ideal in a short tournament like the ASEAN Cup.

"Certainty of schedule and the availability of a pitch not shared with other parties is crucial," Erick Thohir said, emphasizing the point.

From a competitive standpoint, the match against Singapore will be an early benchmark of the effectiveness of Herdman's methods. The Lions are not an opponent to be underestimated, especially as they are also building a squad with a similar approach. The Indonesian public certainly hopes this closed strategy yields a win, not just a formality. However, if the result is less than satisfactory, pressure on PSSI and Herdman is predicted to increase, particularly regarding transparency and media access.

Going forward, the closed-training model at a police complex could set a precedent for age-group national teams or even Liga 1 clubs seeking to increase tactical secrecy. The question is whether this approach will be widely adopted, or instead create distance between the team and the supporters who have long been the strength of Indonesian football. Only performance on the pitch can answer that.