FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: A Stern Test for John Herdman and Indonesia's Title Ambition
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- Timnas Indonesia memulai kiprah di FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 melawan Singapura di Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno, Jumat (25/9/2026).
- Legenda Timnas, I Made Pasek Wijaya, menilai turnamen ini menjadi tolok ukur kualitas John Herdman sebagai pelatih, dengan target juara sebagai harga mati.
- Dukungan sebagai tuan rumah dan materi pemain diaspora dianggap cukup untuk mengatasi persaingan di Grup A, meski tanpa kapten Jay Idzes.
The Indonesia national team will begin its campaign in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 by facing Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (25/9/2026) evening WIB. This Group A opener is not merely a chance for three points, but a stage for coach John Herdman to prove his capacity to take the Garuda to greater heights.
Indonesian national team legend from Bali, I Made Pasek Wijaya, said the tournament is a crucial moment for Herdman. According to him, the public needs to assess whether the English coach can bring significant change or instead leave the team stagnant. "If you look at Indonesia's chances with this squad, we should be champions," said Pasek Wijaya, as quoted by Bola.com.
That optimism rests on a composition of diaspora players plying their trade in top European leagues. Even without captain Jay Idzes, Pasek considers the stock of center-backs still adequate. "Against Singapore, in my view Indonesia's squad is still superior. Moreover, we are the hosts," he stressed. Host status is expected to be an additional lever, especially with supporter backing at GBK potentially becoming psychological pressure for the opponent.
Pasek Wijaya also highlighted the rivalry in Group A. Facing Singapore, he sees it as a chance for revenge after the defeat in the group phase of the 2026 AFF Cup. Meanwhile, meetings with Malaysia are always laden with prestige, and Bangladesh cannot be underestimated. "Singapore and Malaysia have naturalized players quite massively, but our naturalized players play in Serie A and some in the Dutch league," he said, emphasizing the quality of Indonesian players.
"John Herdman, I think, is an energetic coach and certainly has a different perspective from previous national team coaches," said I Made Pasek Wijaya.
The difference in Herdman's character compared with his predecessors, Shin Tae-yong and Patrick Kluivert, according to Pasek, cannot be compared directly. He considers Herdman to bring a fresh philosophy and new energy in building the team's play. The bitter experience of failing to advance from the group phase of the 2026 AFF Cup is expected to be a valuable lesson, not a burden. "We should not use the time we failed to get out of the AFF as a benchmark. Perhaps that was a learning moment. The squad was also different from now," he added.
For Indonesia, this tournament is not only about on-field achievement. Success in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 could raise the FIFA ranking, strengthen its bargaining position in Asian football, and revive the national football industry. Government and sponsor support is believed to flow more strongly if the team can go far. However, high expectations also carry risk: failure could trigger sharp criticism of the federation and the coach.
With a capable squad and host status, will the Indonesia national team fulfill its must-win title billing, or instead fall back into the shadow of inconsistent performances? The answer will begin to emerge on the green pitch of GBK tonight.
