2-0 Win over Singapore: Indonesia National Team Player Ratings at FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

Timnas Indonesia opened their campaign in Group A of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 with a convincing 2-0 win over Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (25/9/2026). The two goals scored by Ragnar Oratmangoen and Ole Romeny not only delivered three points but also underlined that the squad under John Herdman has a depth different from previous editions.

From the start, Indonesia dominated possession. The centre-back pairing of Elkan Baggott and Justin Hubner formed a solid wall that made it difficult for Singapore's attack to develop their game. Meanwhile, Luke Vickery's debut on the right flank provided a pleasant surprise; the 20-year-old immediately contributed an assist for Ragnar's opening goal in the 13th minute. The numerical advantage after Safuwan Baharudin received a red card in the 70th minute further eased Indonesia's path, and they doubled their lead through Ole Romeny's penalty in the 73rd minute.

This win was not merely a positive result; it also underscored the effectiveness of Herdman's strategy, which relies on a balance between senior and young players. "We have a different squad right now. We see how this team performs. They can lift our identity again. Bringing home a win and keeping a cleansheet," Herdman said before the match, as quoted by Bola.com. That statement proved true on the pitch: Indonesia not only won but also recorded a cleansheet thanks to the calm performance of goalkeeper Maarten Paes, who was tested only once by Song Ui-young's long-range effort.

In midfield, the presence of a balance provider like Verdonk and other holding midfielders made Indonesia's transitions run smoothly. Although they did not touch the ball much, their role as breakers of opposition attacks and tempo setters was crucial. Meanwhile, the front line featuring Ragnar and Ole Romeny did not just wait for passes but also actively pressed when they lost the ball. This combination made it difficult for Singapore to play out of pressure.

"We have a different squad right now. We see how this team performs. They can lift our identity again. Bringing home a win and keeping a cleansheet." - John Herdman, Indonesia National Team Coach

However, behind the win there is an important note: the injury suffered by James at half-time. The left-back had actually played aggressively with two golden chances but had to be substituted due to a physical problem. In addition, despite the win, Indonesia still need to improve the effectiveness of attacks from the left side, where Nathan was active in support but his crossing accuracy was not yet optimal. The introduction of substitutes such as Ivar and Ridho also did not fully change the dynamics of the game, though there were no fatal mistakes.

Indonesia context: This win is valuable capital for Timnas Indonesia to compete in Group A, which also features strong Southeast Asian teams. With the tournament's tight format, these first three points provide extra confidence, especially since they played in front of their own supporters. Moreover, the performances of young players such as Vickery and Hubner show that squad regeneration is going according to plan. For the national football public, this result also answers doubts ahead of the tournament, while confirming that Indonesia are serious about targeting the title.

Going forward, Herdman is required to maintain consistency and overcome the injuries haunting several players. The next match will be the real test: whether the win over Singapore was just a coincidence or the start of dominance. With the quality of players available, Indonesia have a strong chance of going far, but they must remain wary of opponents who will not give them easy space. Can the Garuda squad sustain this momentum all the way to the final?