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John Herdman Vows to Revamp Indonesia Squad After AFF Cup Exit

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Context piece
  • Indonesia's national football coach John Herdman vows to revamp the squad after their exit from the 2026 AFF Cup.
  • The team was eliminated following a 1-1 draw with Singapore, failing to reach the semifinals.
  • Herdman acknowledges the need for a "new spirit" and looks ahead to the FIFA ASEAN Cup as an opportunity for improvement.

Following Indonesia's disappointing exit from the 2026 AFF Cup, national team coach John Herdman has pledged a significant overhaul of the squad. The Garuda squad failed to advance to the semifinals after a 1-1 draw against Singapore on Friday, a result that has prompted Herdman to call for a "new spirit, a truly new spirit."

We will address all of that and return with a new spirit, a truly new spirit.

— John HerdmanVowing to revamp the Indonesian squad after their AFF Cup exit.

Herdman expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing during the match but chose not to dwell on it, recognizing it would be unproductive. He maintained that his team had dominated the game, controlling possession and creating chances, despite Singapore's organized defense. "We had enough chances to win the match. We had sufficient possession and control, but sometimes the football gods simply don't give us what we want," Herdman stated in an official release.

We had enough chances to win the match. We had sufficient possession and control, but sometimes the football gods simply don't give us what we want.

— John HerdmanReflecting on the team's performance in the match against Singapore.

The coach urged patience from supporters as the team prepares for its next challenge, the FIFA ASEAN Cup in September-October 2026. He views this upcoming tournament as a crucial opportunity for the Garuda squad to learn from their AFF Cup experience and demonstrate improvement. Indonesia is set to face Singapore again in the FIFA ASEAN Cup, having been drawn into Group A alongside Malaysia and India.

I can't wait to face Singapore again. That moment will surely come.

— John HerdmanLooking forward to a rematch with Singapore in the FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Herdman identified the need for better emotional control and focus as the key lesson learned from the AFF Cup failure. He believes his players largely succeeded in managing their emotions but acknowledged that minor errors ultimately cost the team. "We won't see those kinds of things, those small mistakes, in the upcoming tournament," he assured, emphasizing a commitment to rectifying these issues before their next competition.

We won't see those kinds of things, those small mistakes, in the upcoming tournament.

— John HerdmanPromising to eliminate minor errors in future competitions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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