Indonesia's coach had to leave the stands and head to the field due to a nightmare start against Vietnam

A striking moment occurred in the Group A clash between Indonesia and Vietnam at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. Coach John Herdman began the match observing from the stands rather than the technical zone, but the unfolding action compelled the Canadian strategist to alter his approach swiftly.

Right after the opening whistle, the Vietnamese team took control and constantly pressured Indonesia's goal. Within the first 14 minutes, the red-shirted squad pierced the host's net twice. Van Vi opened the scoring with a precise finish, and Hai Long doubled the lead shortly after, leaving the atmosphere at Pakansari Stadium nearly silent.

The two quick goals made it impossible for John Herdman to remain seated in the stands. He immediately moved down to the technical area to take direct command, continuously giving instructions to his players to stabilize the formation and find a way to bring the team back into the match.

Herdman's move showed that Indonesia had fallen completely into a passive position against Vietnam's fast and effective style of play. The 50-year-old strategist's rapid appearance on the sideline also reflected the urgency of the situation, as the home team needed an immediate change to avoid losing control of the game.

Meanwhile, Vietnam maintained a high intensity after building a huge early advantage. With a two-goal lead after just over 10 minutes, Kim Sang Sik's team seized control of the match and forced Indonesia to adjust their approach as early as the first half.