Ole Romeny, the Engine of Indonesia's Attack Behind the Win over Singapore

Indonesia opened Group A of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Premier Division with a 2-0 win over Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (25/9/2026) evening WIB. The Merah-Putih's two winning goals were scored by Ragnar Oratmangoen in the 15th minute and Ole Romeny from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute. The result is an important foundation for John Herdman's squad to keep alive their hopes of reaching the final.

The win was inseparable from Ole Romeny's impressive performance. The 26-year-old striker was trusted by Herdman to fill the second striker role, supporting Mitchell Baker as the main forward. That role allowed Romeny to move freely, drop deep to collect the ball, and break down Singapore's defense, which was guarded by Izwan Mahbud. His high mobility and ability to deliver key passes made him a constant threat to the opposition's back line.

Romeny's penalty goal in the 73rd minute was proof of his composure. Initially, Kevin Diks was designated as the taker, but Romeny, who was about to be replaced by Rayhan Hannan, took over that responsibility. With a slow but well-placed shot, he beat the Singapore goalkeeper. The goal was Romeny's seventh in 11 appearances for Indonesia, underscoring his role as one of the mainstays in the attack.

Throughout the match, Romeny repeatedly left Singapore's defenders struggling to the point that they had to stop him with fouls that resulted in yellow cards. He also created a golden chance in the first half with a left-footed shot along the ground that narrowly missed the goal. In addition, his cross nearly produced an assist for Ragnar Oratmangoen, although his teammate's shot did not find the target.

"There is no difference between local players and diaspora players because they are all part of the Indonesia national team," John Herdman said in the post-match press conference, emphasizing the team's unity.

The win places Indonesia second in the provisional Group A standings, trailing Malaysia, which had earlier beaten Bangladesh 3-0. Next, Indonesia will face Malaysia in their second match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on Monday (28/9/2026). This duel will be decisive for Indonesia's ambition to secure a ticket to the final.

For Herdman, Romeny's presence gives a different dimension to the attacking scheme. The combination with Mitchell Baker, Ragnar Oratmangoen, and Luke Vickery makes Indonesia's front line more varied. Romeny does not only act as a scorer, but also as a mover who draws opposing defenders and creates space for his teammates.

Ahead of the match against Malaysia, Romeny is predicted to once again be a scourge for the opposition's defense. His consistency at the international level is a valuable asset for Indonesia, which is building the foundation of a competitive team in the ASEAN region. The question is, can Romeny maintain his sharpness and take Indonesia further in this tournament?