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| Herdman’s debut shines! Indonesia beats St Kitts And Nevis 4-0 with clean sheet. Herdman praises team discipline and professionalism. |
Jakarta – New Indonesia national team coach, John Herdman, started his tenure on a high note. The Garuda squad defeated St Kitts and Nevis 4-0 in the FIFA Series 2026 match at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Friday (March 26).
The victory was secured thanks to a brace from Beckham Putra and one goal each from Ole Romeny and Mauro Ziljstra. Herdman emphasized that the result matched the team’s pre-match targets.
“We set a goal to score four goals and keep a clean sheet. We also wanted to rotate the squad to give all training participants a chance, and they handled the match very professionally,” Herdman said in a post-match press conference.
Herdman added that team discipline was key to keeping the goal safe. St Kitts and Nevis created very few opportunities, leaving goalkeeper Maarten Paes with minimal work.
“To maintain a clean sheet, it’s all about discipline. Scoring from set pieces and creating goals from transitions are also crucial. Internationally, these are some of the most important aspects of the game,” Herdman said.
Despite his satisfaction, Herdman acknowledged that the journey for Indonesia is still long, especially ahead of their tough match against Bulgaria in the FIFA Series final on Monday (March 30). He also shared some tactical insights that need to be reinforced.
“Tactical cohesion is very important. In the first 15 minutes, we were too excited, and some players acted on their own. If this happens against Bulgaria, we could be punished in the opening minutes. So all players need to follow the tactical blueprint from the first whistle,” said the former Canada national team coach.
This win confirms that Indonesia’s national team is on the right track in building a disciplined and competitive squad while boosting confidence ahead of the final against a European opponent.
FAQ
Q: Who scored in Indonesia vs St Kitts and Nevis?
A: Beckham Putra scored twice, while Ole Romeny and Mauro Ziljstra scored one goal each.
Q: What was Herdman’s target for his debut match?
A: To score four goals, keep a clean sheet, and give playing time to all squad members.
Q: When will Indonesia face Bulgaria?
A: The FIFA Series final will be held on Monday, March 30, 2026, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta.
Q: What areas does Herdman want to improve before the Bulgaria match?
A: Tactical cohesion and starting the match with stronger discipline from the first minute.
Q: How did Herdman evaluate his team’s performance?
A: He was proud of the players’ professionalism despite only a few training sessions together.
