ASEAN Cup 2026: Confidently Aiming for Big Goals

Speaking after the match at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, Indonesia, on the evening of July 27, the English tactician expressed satisfaction with his players' performance, particularly their fighting spirit and team cohesion. Coach Herdman shared: "The most important thing is that the whole team displayed the tactical identity we built over the past three weeks. I am very pleased with the attitude, effort, and unity of the players. They fought together, played together, and truly enjoyed football." However, he also emphasized that Indonesia will not rest on their laurels and urged the team to stay focused on each upcoming match in their journey to conquer the ASEAN Cup 2026.

The victory over Cambodia was highlighted by the performance of 19-year-old striker Mitchell Baker. The Australian-born forward made an unforgettable debut for Indonesia, scoring a hat-trick in the 5th, 14th, and 55th minutes. The other two goals were scored by Sandy Walsh and Jens Raven, while Cambodia's only goal came from an own goal by goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata. Coach Herdman described this as a dream debut for Baker and extended his thanks to PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir, the Indonesian President, and all those who helped complete the naturalization process for the young striker.

After his explosive performance, Mitchell Baker quickly became the focus of regional media. RRI noted that the 5-1 win not only secured the first three points but also provided a huge morale boost for Indonesia in the race for a semi-final spot. Meanwhile, Viva reported that Southeast Asian media had nicknamed the 2007-born striker "Erling Baker" because his goal-scoring style is reminiscent of Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.

According to Viva, Baker impressed not only with his hat-trick but also with his intelligent movement, sharp positioning, and composure in finishing. This performance made the newly naturalized striker the most prominent name in the opening round and raised high expectations for Indonesia's attack in the remainder of the tournament.