INDOPOSCO.ID – Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has expressed his determination to end the team’s decades-long winless record against Oman. He described the upcoming FIFA Matchday fixture as more than a friendly, calling it a historical challenge his squad hopes to overcome with the support of home fans.
The Garuda squad is scheduled to face Oman on June 5, 2026, and Mozambique on June 9, 2026, at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) in Jakarta.
“We have never beaten Oman in 38 years, and that is a challenge for us. With your support, we will do everything we can to create a new chapter in our history,” Herdman said in Jakarta, as quoted on Friday (June 5, 2026).
The coach said all players have demonstrated a strong commitment since joining the national team training camp. According to Herdman, an early team meeting during the camp served as an important opportunity to align the squad’s vision and objectives.
“This has been a challenging period for the players because they have just completed a long season. The most important thing is ensuring that everyone is committed to the reason we are here and the goals we want to achieve,” said the English coach.
Herdman described the match as a valuable opportunity for Indonesia to assess its progress while strengthening its competitive mentality against higher-ranked opponents within the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).
“We understand that Oman is a Pot 2 team in the AFC, while we began our journey from Pot 4. We are also aware of their position in the rankings,” he said.
He expressed hope that a strong turnout at Gelora Bung Karno would provide an additional boost for his players against Oman.
The coach added that the squad has shown positive energy and enthusiasm ahead of the match. (dan)
