Vietnam
Thailand
Seven Months In: John Herdman’s Record with Indonesia Comes Under Scrutiny
John Herdman’s first seven months in charge of Indonesia have produced a mixed record, with the national team showing promising signs before suffering a disappointing early exit from the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Appointed on January 3, 2026, the 51-year-old English coach has overseen eight matches, collecting five victories, one draw, and two defeats. Indonesia have scored 17 goals during his tenure while conceding only six, giving Herdman an average of two points per game.
Herdman made an impressive start to his time with the Garuda squad. His first match came against St. Kitts and Nevis in the FIFA Series at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on March 27, where Indonesia secured a convincing 4-0 victory. Three days later, however, they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Bulgaria. The team responded strongly in June, beating Oman 3-0 before following it up with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique, creating optimism ahead of the ASEAN Cup.
Indonesia carried that momentum into the opening stages of the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Herdman’s side began the tournament with a dominant 5-1 victory over Cambodia at Pakansari Stadium before recording another comfortable 3-0 win against Timor Leste. Those results put Indonesia in a strong position to challenge for a place in the semifinals, but their momentum disappeared in the final two group matches.
The turning point came with a heavy 3-0 defeat to defending champions Vietnam in front of the home supporters. Indonesia then drew 1-1 with Singapore in their final group match, a result that confirmed their elimination. The failure to reach the semifinals was a major setback for Herdman, particularly after Indonesia had made significant progress against Vietnam in previous years. Despite the disappointment, his overall record remains positive, with a strong defensive record and a healthy goal difference after eight matches.
Herdman now has another opportunity to develop the team when the FIFA ASEAN Cup takes place from September to October. The upcoming competition is expected to provide another important test, particularly with both domestic and overseas-based players available for selection. The ASEAN Cup disappointment has exposed areas that still need improvement, but Herdman’s early results suggest there is a foundation to build on as Indonesia looks to produce a stronger response in its next major campaign.
The Most Popular
-
Borneo FC vs Persija: A Thrilling Super League Opener -
Manchester City vs Coventry City Preview: Man City Target Perfect Start Against Coventry -
Real Betis vs Real Madrid Preview: Los Blancos Target Fourth Straight La Liga Victory -
Indonesia U-20 Target Convincing Win Over Laos -
Real Sociedad vs Celta Vigo Preview: Team News, Lineups and Prediction -
Real Madrid Target Betis in Title Charge
Telegram
Facebook
X