Chairman of the Indonesian Football Association: 'The match against Vietnam is the true measure of our ability'

PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir acknowledged that the Indonesian team has not yet displayed their real class even though they beat Cambodia 5-1.

The Indonesian national team defeated Cambodia 5-1 in their first match of the 2026 ASEAN Championship on Monday (27/7/2026).

However, Erick Thohir asserted that he still hasn't seen the true level of the Indonesian team despite securing their first victory in this tournament.

The head of PSSI believes that the strength of the Indonesian team will only truly be shown when they can defeat the Vietnamese team on August 3rd.

"Yes, this is the first match. In my opinion, the match against Vietnam will be the key to see where our team stands in terms of level in this AFF tournament," Erick Thohir told reporters after the match between Indonesia and Cambodia.

"That doesn't mean we underestimate the upcoming matches against Timor Leste or Singapore. But today, in my opinion, it was a fairly good performance for the first match," he added.

The Indonesian team scored thanks to a hat-trick from newcomer Mitchell Baker, a goal from Sandy Walsh, and another goal from newcomer Jens Raven.

According to Erick, this is the best squad Indonesia could bring to the ASEAN Championship because players currently playing in Europe were not allowed by their clubs to return as the 2026 ASEAN Championship takes place outside the FIFA Day period.

Striker Michel Baker, who plays in the US, had an impressive debut for the Indonesian team as he opened the scoring for coach John Herdman's side in the 6th minute, before adding goals in the 15th and 56th minutes.

Sandy Walsh also scored for Indonesia. Meanwhile, Chea Sokmeng caused Indonesian goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata to deflect the ball into his own net in the 48th minute, while Jens Raven scored with four minutes remaining to seal an easy victory.

Indonesia took just over five minutes to open the scoring. The home team took advantage of a situation where Yudai Ogawa fouled Ivar Jenner about 10 meters from the Cambodian half, resulting in a yellow card for the Cambodian midfielder.

Thom Haye took the free kick with a perfect delivery into the center of the penalty area, allowing Baker to leap high and head the ball into the far corner, out of reach of goalkeeper Hul Kimhuy despite his diving attempt.

In the 15th minute, Indonesia doubled the lead with a fast attacking combination that pierced the Cambodian defense. Marc Klok threaded a pass for Eliano Reijnders to run down the right flank, before his cross was met by Baker who slid in to tap home from close range.

Walsh almost scored the third goal for Indonesia when his shot hit the post. However, in the 24th minute, the former Buriram United FC and Yokohama F Marinos player got his name on the scoresheet with a header from a corner kick taken from the left side by Haye.

Three minutes after the start of the second half, Cambodia revived their hopes. Ogawa took a short corner for Chea, before the defender unleashed a curling shot from a narrow angle towards goal, forcing Nadeo to push the ball but inadvertently sending it over the line.

Egy Maulana Vikri then had a chance to restore the three-goal lead for Indonesia, but his shot was tipped by Kimhuy onto the crossbar, after Baker had earlier headed just wide of the post.

However, the Australia-born striker did not miss the chance to complete his hat-trick. Baker accurately met another cross from the right by Thom Haye and finished neatly, leaving Kimhuy no chance to save.

Substitute Jens Raven capped off the dominant victory for the team that has finished runners-up six times by tapping the ball into an empty net in the 86th minute, following a defensive mix-up by Cambodia.