John Herdman reveals reason behind Mitchell Baker's hat-trick: It all started with teamwork

Indonesian national football team coach John Herdman lauded Mitchell Baker for his impressive hat-trick in his debut match against Cambodia, a performance that exceeded expectations. However, Herdman stressed that Baker's three goals were a testament to the entire team's collective effort rather than individual brilliance. He pointed out that Baker's naturalization process involved significant hard work from numerous parties. Herdman expressed gratitude to PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir and the Indonesian President for their support, which enabled the 19-year-old striker to join the Garuda squad quickly. "Mitch fulfilled expectations tonight by scoring a hat-trick on his debut. But it would not have been possible without the team," Herdman stated. He elaborated that high pressure from Emiliano Reijnders, the aggression of Donny Tri Pamungkas, Thom Haye's passing quality, and the overall hard work of all players created the opportunities Baker converted. Herdman also singled out Donny Tri Pamungkas for praise, noting his consistent performance and potential for further development. The coach believes the victory over Cambodia demonstrates that the Indonesian national team's playing identity is beginning to form, moving away from reliance on a single player.

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Mitch fulfilled expectations tonight by scoring a hat-trick on his debut. But it would not have been possible without the team.