Herdman Praises Players' Mentality After Indonesia Beat Singapore 2-0 at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

Indonesia's national team secured an important 2-0 win over Singapore in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (25/9/2026) evening WIB. The result is valuable capital for John Herdman's squad to keep their hopes alive in the regional tournament.

The Garuda's two winning goals were scored by Ragnar Oratmangoen in the 13th minute after latching onto a Luke Vickery pass, and Ole Romeny through a penalty in the 73rd minute. Indonesia also held a numerical advantage after Singapore defender Safuwan Baharudin was sent off by referee Rustam Lutfullin in the 70th minute for fouling Mitchell Baker.

In the post-match press conference, Herdman praised the players' hard work in overcoming fatigue and jet lag. "The players gave maximum effort. We anticipated there would be moments when everything went very well, but also moments when fatigue would set in and the players had to adapt," he said.

The English coach also highlighted Romeny's consistency, as the player has now scored seven goals in eleven appearances for Indonesia. "I'm proud of Ole for scoring his goal. He has scored several goals in the last few matches. We are starting to have a consistent goalscorer," Herdman added.

The win not only strengthens Indonesia's position in the standings but also shows the squad's depth, as the team performed solidly despite missing several key players. The presence of spectators at SUGBK, including celebrities such as Jennifer Coppen who came to support Justin Hubner, added positive energy for the team.

"We had to take one step, which was to win the match. I think the players managed to get through the challenge and rediscover their game as a unit."

— John Herdman, Indonesia National Team Coach

From a tactical standpoint, Herdman appears to be finding the right formula to maximize the potential of diaspora and local players. The combination of Oratmangoen, Romeny, and Vickery up front provided a constant threat, while the back line managed to keep their fourth or fifth home clean sheet. This consistency is a positive signal ahead of the next crucial matches.

For Indonesia, this tournament is not merely a stage for prestige. The FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 is a proving ground for the naturalization and youth development program initiated by PSSI. The win over Singapore, long known as a tough opponent at the regional level, reinforces that Indonesia is serious about building the foundation of a competitive team in Southeast Asia.

Going forward, Herdman is expected to maintain momentum and rotate players to keep them fit. The packed schedule and long travel are challenges in themselves. If they can sustain this kind of performance, it is not impossible for Indonesia to go far in this tournament and lift the trophy. Will this consistency hold when they face tougher opponents?