The Indonesia national team will begin its 2026 ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup campaign against Cambodia at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Bogor Regency, on Monday, July 27, 2026.
Ahead of the opening match, Indonesia head coach John Herdman urged the Garuda Squad not to underestimate their opponents and to remain focused on Cambodia’s strengths.
Herdman made the remarks during the pre-match press conference at Pakansari Stadium on Sunday, July 26, 2026.
The match against Cambodia will be Indonesia’s second outing after concluding their training camp in Bali with a friendly against Bali United.
He believes that a team’s success should not be measured solely by the final result.
According to Herdman, progress should be assessed by how well the players demonstrate the improvements they have developed throughout their preparation.
“At this stage of our development, our focus is on ourselves. We have to trust the process we’ve gone through. Against Bali United, we showed progress, and tomorrow (today, ed.) the most important thing is to demonstrate that progress again,” he said.
Indonesia have been drawn into Group A of the 2026 AFF Championship, alongside Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste.
Herdman acknowledged that Indonesia face the challenge of building squad depth during the preseason period.
Most of the players have only recently completed a long domestic season and require recovery time before returning to national team training.
“We had to bring the players together and create something like a mini preseason. In this situation, we also couldn’t play too many friendly matches because we had to manage the players’ condition,” he said.
Despite those challenges, Herdman believes the team’s preparations have gone according to plan.
Throughout the training camp in Bali, the players have steadily built chemistry both on and off the pitch.
“The team spirit is excellent. The players are becoming more united, and tactically we can see improvement. Tomorrow is about us—becoming stronger together and taking our first step in this tournament,” he said.
Head-to-Head Record
Indonesia hold a dominant head-to-head record against Cambodia.
The Garuda have won 17 of their 18 meetings against the team known as The Angkor Warriors.
Cambodia previously lost 2-1 to Singapore in the tournament’s opening match.
Herdman stressed that his players must not take Cambodia lightly, noting that they have already found their rhythm and are better prepared after playing their first match.
He described Cambodia as a well-organized and disciplined team that will provide a difficult challenge.
“However, our focus is not on them but on our tactical identity, teamwork, chemistry, and the spirit of our players. We simply have to believe that if we can perform at our current best, positive results will follow,” Herdman said.
Herdman believes the 2026 ASEAN Championship provides the ideal first test for his team as they build a foundation for competing in higher-level tournaments.
Nevertheless, he emphasized that the development process for the Indonesia national team must be gradual.
“Our ambition to win every match remains our primary objective, but it should never come at the expense of the players’ physical condition or safety,” he said.
Meanwhile, Indonesia goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata said the entire squad is highly confident ahead of the opening match against Cambodia.
According to him, every aspect of the team’s play has been thoroughly prepared during the training camp in Bali, leaving only the task of executing those plans on the field.
“We’ve discussed everything with Coach John in Bali and brought all of those preparations with us to Bogor. The first match is never easy, regardless of the opponent. But we’re confident and 100 percent ready,” he said.
In addition to targeting victory in the opening match, Nadeo said the Garuda Squad carries a greater ambition—to end Indonesia’s long wait for an ASEAN Championship title.
This year’s tournament also marks the 30th anniversary of the Southeast Asian football federation.
“In 30 years of participating in the AFF Championship, Indonesia has never won the title. Of course, we want to become champions, and hopefully that can happen in this edition,” he said.
Regarding fan attendance, Herdman expressed hope that supporters would fill the stands at Pakansari Stadium.
He hopes the atmosphere will be just as vibrant as that at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK).
According to Herdman, the presence of supporters provides an additional source of motivation for the Garuda Squad during matches.
“It’s a very different atmosphere compared to playing at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium. We hope the fans can bring positive energy to the players because we’re excited to play in front of our supporters here,” he said.***
