Indonesia vs Bangladesh: John Herdman Speaks About Respect for Kanjuruhan Tragedy Victims

The match between Indonesia National Team and Bangladesh at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 carries meaning far beyond just fighting for a place in the final round. Indonesia National Team Head Coach John Herdman wants the Garuda Squad to give their fullest honour for the victims of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy, exactly four years after the devastating incident took place.

Indonesia will face Bangladesh for the third Group A fixture at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta on Thursday, 1 October 2026. This match falls precisely on the four-year anniversary of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy: the disaster that killed 135 people following tear gas deployment during a Liga 1 match between Arema FC and Persebaya Surabaya at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java on 1 October 2022.

Herdman understands that this national team match holds a special message for Indonesian Football. That is why he asked his players not to only think about the Match Result, but also to grasp the responsibility they carry as representatives of the nation's football.

"It is important for the players to represent this country properly on the pitch, while also paying respect for those who lost their lives in the Kanjuruhan tragedy," stated John Herdman during a training session at PTIK Stadium, Jakarta on Wednesday.

The Kanjuruhan Tragedy is not an unfamiliar event for Herdman. He learned about the incident back when he was still serving as head coach of the Canada National Team.

During that period, Herdman once held a minute of silence ceremony in a match to honour the Kanjuruhan Tragedy victims.

Now leading the Indonesia National Team, he has the opportunity to carry the same respectful message. He wants his players to show this honour through their attitude and performance on the field.

"Of course we must give our best respect. This team stands as the representation of football in this country. If we forget, we will never learn," he said.

Herdman's message came as the Indonesia National Team is also facing a tight situation in Group A. The Garuda squad sits at second place with 4 points, equal with Malaysia who holds the top of the standings.

Malaysia leads by one goal difference, which means Indonesia will need to claim full maximum points against Bangladesh. This fixture becomes the last chance for Garuda to close the goal difference gap while paving their way to the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 final round.

That is why this match against Bangladesh carries two separate missions for Indonesia. On one side, Ole Romeny and his teammates must fight to get the best possible result to keep their final Qualification Chance alive.

On the other side, they are expected to show that Indonesian Football has not forgotten the Kanjuruhan Tragedy.

For Herdman, both missions can run alongside each other. The Indonesia National Team will still compete with full competitive spirit, but this fight also carries the weight of responsibility as the face of Indonesian football.