Bogor, 2 August 2026 – Indonesia head coach John Herdman has described Vietnam as his team’s toughest opponent since the start of the ASEAN Cup 2026, insisting Monday’s showdown could prove decisive in the race for one of the two semifinal spots from Group A.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Jakarta on August 2, Herdman revealed that his squad had just completed a demanding 19.5-hour journey back from Chonburi, Thailand, where they played their previous group-stage fixture. Despite the exhausting travel schedule, the Canadian coach said his players remain highly motivated ahead of the crucial encounter.
“This is another opportunity for us to continue growing as a team and earn valuable points. Everyone is excited about the next match,” Herdman said.
The Indonesia coach believes his side has every reason to be proud of its performances so far in the tournament. After three matches, Indonesia have scored eight goals, conceded only once, and collected six points. However, Herdman stressed that facing the defending champions would be an entirely different challenge.
“Tomorrow’s match will be a real test for us. This is exactly why we compete in tournaments like this—to face the strongest teams in the biggest moments. Indonesia have the chance to take control of the group, while Vietnam also need at least a draw or a victory to stay firmly in the race for qualification. I believe it will be a fantastic match for both the players and the supporters.”
Reflecting on Indonesia’s campaign, Herdman said each match had provided valuable lessons. He noted that the opening home fixture came with immense expectations from the fans, while the away match against Timor-Leste presented a completely different scenario, with Indonesia playing in front of a limited crowd and against an opponent reduced to 10 men early in the contest.
According to the Indonesian coach, those experiences have helped his team mature, but he emphasized that the priority is to focus only on what they can control.
“We simply need to show our identity when playing at home. That’s something we can control. What our opponents do is beyond our control.”
Herdman also praised Vietnam head coach Kim Sang-sik, acknowledging the South Korean’s impressive achievements and experience.
“Coach Kim Sang-sik is a very experienced manager who has won several regional titles. He knows exactly how to get the best out of his players. Vietnam began preparing for this tournament on June 22 and have now gone seven matches unbeaten. Indonesia are only playing our third match together and we’re still developing as a team. Vietnam may have a slight advantage at this moment, but that’s no excuse. We will fight with everything we have for our supporters.”
The Indonesian boss also provided an update on midfielder Marselino, whose fitness remains uncertain ahead of the match.
“We only received information about his injury this morning. Our medical staff will continue assessing his condition before making a final decision on whether he can play. We’ll provide a further update after the match.”
The highly anticipated clash between Indonesia and Vietnam kicks off at 8:30 p.m. (local time) on August 3 at Pakansari Stadium. With a packed tournament schedule, both teams have had only one full training session to prepare for the encounter.
After three rounds of Group A action, Singapore lead the standings with seven points, Indonesia sit second with six, while Vietnam are third with four points and a game in hand over Singapore. The outcome of Monday’s showdown is expected to have a major impact on the battle for a place in the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals.
VSN/RPT
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