FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026: Herdman remains wary of Singapore, while Gavin Lee openly acknowledges that Indonesia is the stronger side.

Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has identified Singapore's tactical discipline as a critical threat ahead of their opening Group A fixture at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup. Meanwhile, Singapore head coach Gavin Lee has acknowledged that the Garuda squad is now stronger compared to when the two sides met at the 2026 AFF Cup.

Indonesia and Singapore will face off at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK) in Jakarta on Friday, 25 September at 20.00 WIB. This fixture marks the second meeting between the sides following their 2026 AFF Cup clash on 7 August at Singapore's Jalan Besar Stadium.

For Herdman, the 1-1 draw from that AFF Cup match left important lessons. Singapore successfully frustrated Indonesia through their structured game organisation and strict tactical discipline.

"The biggest takeaway from that match against Singapore at the 2026 AFF Cup is that they are an extremely resilient side. They maintain very high levels of tactical discipline," stated John Herdman during the pre-match press conference held in Jakarta.

Herdman also noted another factor that keeps Singapore dangerous: most of their squad has been working under the same coaching setup for at least one and a half years.

This long period together has allowed Singapore to build strong on-pitch understanding between players. Every member clearly knows their individual role and operates cohesively within the team's system.

"When a group of players spend this long training and playing alongside each other, they develop a far sharper understanding of each other's roles. That is exactly what makes them such a difficult side to break down," he said.

Beyond squad cohesion, experience is another major asset for Singapore. Herdman assessed that the cumulative international caps of Singapore's players place them among the most experienced squads competing in this tournament.

This experience helps Singapore navigate high-pressure moments. In tight, closely contested matches, the ability to retain playing structure and stay composed forms a core part of a team's strength.

Herdman conceded that Indonesia holds an advantage in overall squad value on paper, but stressed this edge will mean nothing unless it is translated into actual on-pitch performance.

"Singapore have that experience, that fighting spirit, and a strong collective mentality. They will make things very difficult for you, they will battle relentlessly," he added.

Gavin Lee Acknowledges Indonesia's Improved Squad Strength

Singapore head coach Gavin Lee openly recognised that the host nation's squad has evolved since their last meeting. He observed that changes to Indonesia's player roster have lifted the team's overall quality compared to their 2026 AFF Cup encounter.

"We are all aware that they are likely a stronger side right now. We respect that fact, that this is a better team than the one we faced previously," Gavin Lee told the pre-match press conference in Jakarta.

Lee emphasised that this upcoming match will take place in a completely different context, meaning Singapore must prepare specifically to counter Indonesia's new playing identity.

"First and foremost, the context is entirely different. The Indonesia squad that will take the field tomorrow is very different to the one we faced in the previous competition," he explained.

Singapore's game plan will not only focus on neutralising Indonesia's individual star players, but also on preparing to deal with the host nation's collective playing patterns.

Despite acknowledging Indonesia's greater strength on paper, Lee stated he will not let his squad lose confidence. Singapore have finalised a full tactical game plan from their preparation work, with the target of securing the best possible result at SUGBK.

"Both teams go into this match with an equal chance," he concluded.