Indonesia's new head coach John Herdman has a clear message for his team: turn all that pain from past failures into something special. The former Canada boss wants his players to use their disappointment as rocket fuel for qualifying for their first-ever World Cup.
Herdman was officially unveiled on Monday, stepping into the shoes of Patrick Kluivert. The Dutchman left after Indonesia fell short in their bid to reach the 2026 World Cup finals. It was a tough blow for a nation of 280 million football-crazy fans.
But here's the thing - Indonesia actually made history last year. They reached the fourth round of Asia's World Cup qualifiers for the first time ever. The squad was packed with players born overseas, and while they didn't get over the line, Herdman sees it as a crucial building block.
Learning from the Hard Knocks
"I'm sure the fans want to be at the World Cup in 2026 but you have to suffer, you have to feel it," Herdman explained after Thursday's ASEAN Championship draw. He's not sugar-coating things - he knows the team needed to experience that heartbreak.
The 50-year-old Englishman pointed out that this was a brand new group trying to gel quickly. The talent is definitely there, but it takes time for players to really connect and feel what representing Indonesia means. Those painful defeats? They're actually laying the groundwork for future success.
"That group of men, we have no excuses now," Herdman said. "We've suffered together, the talent's there and we have the opportunity to take this country to the next level." For bettors keeping an eye on Indonesia's odds, this kind of battle-hardened experience could make them dark horses in upcoming tournaments.
What's Next for Indonesia?
Herdman will get his feet wet quickly. His first matches come in March during the FIFA Series, which Indonesia is hosting in Jakarta. Then comes the big test - the ASEAN Championship in July and August.
Indonesia has never won this regional competition in its 30-year history. That's a stat Herdman is determined to change. With home advantage in March and momentum building, Indonesia could be worth watching in the betting markets for the ASEAN Championship.
Looking further ahead, there's the Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia in January 2027. Indonesia made waves at the last tournament in Qatar, reaching the last 16 for the first time. Herdman wants to build on that breakthrough performance.
The pressure on these players is massive, but Herdman sees it differently. "That pressure is an absolute privilege for the players," he said. Sure, it's intense having 280 million people watching your every move, but he's framing it as an opportunity.
Herdman is building what he calls a "pioneering mindset." Indonesia hasn't qualified for a World Cup, hasn't won an Asian Cup, and hasn't claimed the ASEAN title. But that means they have the chance to be the first generation to achieve all of those things. That's the mentality he's trying to instill - and if it clicks, Indonesia could surprise a lot of people in the coming years.
