Indonesia National Team Head Coach John Herdman has his work cut out strengthening the Garuda Squad's forward line. Acquiring a pure out-and-out number 9 center striker is a core priority, but the solutions being prepared are not built solely for short-term needs. Squad depth and long-term regeneration ahead of the 2030 World Cup also form a critical pillar of the team's planning.
This topic was discussed on the ITSMe podcast with Football Analyst Ronny Pangemanan and Firzie Idris, hosted by Raisha and Gilang Respaty in Sentul, Bogor. Both guests reviewed developments for the Indonesia National Team, including insights from direct communications with Herdman regarding player requirements and strategies to construct a more competitive squad.
One of the most pressing issues Herdman faces is the extremely limited pool of available center forwards. The national team requires players that can anchor the attack, while also acting as reliable cover when the first-choice striker is injured or ruled unavailable.
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A Dedicated Number 9 Striker Remains Required
Indonesia's scoring output at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup proved that goal threat does not rely on one single player, with 9 different players registering goals across the entire tournament.
Even so, John Herdman still requires a natural pure number 9 striker to expand attacking options, and preserve the team's finishing sharpness whenever the main striker is absent or struggling to break down opposition defences.
Dean Zandbergen previously emerged as a potential Naturalised Player candidate. However, reports published 20 October 2026 revealed major FIFA eligibility barriers: his Indonesian ancestry only traces back to his great-grandparent generation, creating serious obstacles for him to represent Indonesia via this route.
Diaspora and Domestic League Players Under Scouting
Player search efforts are not limited only to Europe-based talents. During the podcast discussion, Adrian Wibowo and Matthew Baker were named as diaspora prospects under review, including players active in North America.
Herdman has also kept the door open to monitor players with established careers in the Indonesian domestic league. Taisei Marukawa was highlighted during discussions, in line with his ongoing naturalisation process.
That said, gaining Indonesian citizenship does not automatically qualify a player for national team selection. FIFA eligibility rules and the team's technical requirements will always remain the primary deciding factors before any player can be considered for the squad.
This approach widens the talent pool available to the coaching staff. It should be noted however that players marked on the scouting radar carry no guarantee of receiving a call-up, or confirmed placement in the Garuda Squad.
Regeneration Towards the 2030 World Cup
Beyond strengthening the current senior team, Herdman must also prepare the next generation of players. The podcast revealed that the coaching staff, working alongside Coach Nova, are actively monitoring U-20 and U-23 age group talents to identify prospects ready for promotion to the senior national team.
Matthew Baker is an example of a young player already given senior team opportunities. Fast-tracking youth players requires careful calculation however, as international competition demands consistent performance, tactical maturity, and readiness to face far higher calibre opponents.
Regeneration cannot be delayed until senior players have passed their athletic peak. Youth development must run concurrently alongside the team's short-term competitive targets.
2027 AFC Asian Cup On The Horizon
The next major tournament on the calendar is the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, scheduled to run 7 January to 5 February 2027 per official AFC fixtures.
During the podcast, security conditions in the Middle East were also discussed as a factor that may impact tournament arrangements. No potential changes to dates or host location can be treated as confirmed however, until a formal public announcement is issued by the AFC.
For Herdman, the challenge extends far beyond just finding a goal-scoring striker. He must also build proper squad depth, expand scouting networks, and deliver sustainable long-term Player Regeneration. Successfully balancing these three priorities will determine Indonesia's readiness to compete at the top of Asian Football, while laying the foundations for the 2030 World Cup.
