Vietnam Team: Indonesia Is the Big Test

Indonesia has long been considered a tough opponent for the Vietnam team, but the squad under coach John Herdman promises to be even more formidable. The 5-1 victory over Cambodia in the opening match of Group A of the ASEAN Cup 2026 was not only a good score but also reflected the true professional gap between the two teams. Notably, Indonesia appeared to have not yet unleashed their full strength.

After taking a 3-0 lead in the first half, the home team actively slowed down the pace, held the ball more securely, and limited acceleration. Coach John Herdman continuously rotated personnel, both to keep key players fresh and to avoid revealing too many tactical options before hosting the Vietnam team on August 3. That is how a big team calculates for a long journey, rather than just thinking about a single match.

Indonesia is no longer living on inspiration as in previous years. Coach Herdman has a very clear framework, rich in physical strength, speed, and European playing experience. In that lineup, Thom Haye is the brain.

The midfielder born in 1995 seems to be above the current regional level. Against Cambodia, Haye did not score but made up to 4 decisive passes in the 5 goals. Each of his passes was highly lethal, from precise free kicks to through balls that tore apart the opponent's defense.

What makes Thom Haye different lies not only in technique but also in his ability to read the game. He always appears at the right hot spot, competes strongly, controls the tempo, and almost never makes a bad pass in crucial situations. His transfer value of over 1 million USD partly reflects the class of a midfielder who has spent many years in the Dutch league.

Vietnamese fans surely haven't forgotten Thom Haye. It was he who took the corner kick for Jay Idzes to head the opening goal in Indonesia's 3-0 victory at My Dinh Stadium in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March 2024. As long as Haye has space to play, Indonesia immediately becomes a very hard team to stop.

If Haye is the brain, then Mitchell Baker deserves to be Indonesia's big hope at this year's ASEAN Cup. The 20-year-old striker, standing at 1.96m, just completed his naturalization procedures and immediately scored a hat-trick in his debut for the national team. Reijnders is also a very good winger for Indonesia with tactical thinking and speed. In defense, right-sided center-back Sandy Walsh is also a notable name with his aerial ability and attacking support.

Coach John Herdman also brings a completely different image. The coach who once led Canada to the World Cup is constantly active on the sidelines, continuously directing, inspiring, and motivating his players. That positive energy is spreading to the whole team, helping Indonesia play with confidence and discipline.

That will be a huge challenge for Coach Kim Sang Sik. Indonesia has sent a warning with a resounding victory over Cambodia. But that was just a warm-up. The match against the Vietnam team is where the archipelago nation wants to prove that they are truly the number one candidate for the championship.

And if they can defeat that star-studded squad on the road, the victory of Coach Kim Sang Sik's team will carry more value than any ordinary 3 points in the journey to defend the Southeast Asian crown.