Asean Cup 2026: Indonesia's inexcusable failure

Coach John Herdman is facing significant pressure after Indonesia's early exit from the group stage of the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Unlike their 2024 campaign where they fielded a young or limited squad, Indonesia entered this regional tournament with a much stronger lineup. This time, Herdman was given far more favorable conditions, yet the outcome was still a major disappointment.

An inexcusable defeat

Two years ago, coach Shin Tae Yong was sacked by Indonesia after the team failed to advance from the group stage of the 2024 ASEAN Cup. At that time, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) opted to use mostly under-22 players. However, by 2026, the circumstances had changed completely.

According to Viva, coach John Herdman was given almost unlimited authority to build the team, without the same restrictions. The Super League was even postponed until September to allow players to focus on national duty. Indonesia also had many quality players, including naturalized stars like Thom Haye, Sandy Walsh, and Mitchell Baker.

In other words, Herdman had far more favorable conditions than Shin Tae Yong did in the 2024 tournament. Yet Indonesia still failed to reach the semifinals. This is a defeat that the 51-year-old English coach can hardly excuse.

After Indonesia's elimination, PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir confirmed that the federation would evaluate the team's performance at the 2026 ASEAN Cup. While this may not yet signal Herdman's dismissal, pressure will mount on him as Indonesia is scheduled to host the top tier of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in September.

The group-stage exit in the 2026 ASEAN Cup prolongs Indonesia's 30-year trophy drought in the region's top tournament. To regain trust, Coach Herdman must lead the archipelago nation to win the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.

Herdman's credibility questioned

One of the most debated points is Herdman's tactical approach. The coach often employs a 3-4-3 formation, but Indonesian football expert Anton Sanjoyo argues that this system needs rethinking if Indonesia lacks sufficient quality center-backs.

Sanjoyo also warned Herdman that time is running out for preparations for the 2027 Asian Cup. Therefore, he believes the coach must quickly prove his ability in tactical planning and maximizing the potential of the Indonesian team.

"Herdman is paid a high salary to lead the national team to compete at the highest level in Asia. Preparation time for the Asian Cup is dwindling. Now is the time for Herdman to demonstrate his ability to build tactics and maximize the potential of Indonesian players," Anton concluded.

Meanwhile, football expert Bung Towel argues that Indonesia's problems are not just tactical but also mental. According to him, Indonesian players lack confidence, determination, and grit in crucial matches.

"Even when rewatching the broadcasted matches since the game against Vietnam, I didn't see faces that showed confidence. No. The Indonesian players played without spirit. There was no bravery, passion, or determination. So for me, this is a major issue that needs to be addressed in the selection of the squad," Bung Towel commented.

Bung Towel also criticized Herdman's substitutions during the match against Singapore. He argued that changes like bringing on Saddil Ramdani or Beckham Putra were made too late to have a significant impact.

After the 2026 ASEAN Cup failure, coach John Herdman has been questioned, and now he must prove his coaching ability in the upcoming tournaments for the Indonesian national team.