The Indonesian national team, known as the Garuda, finds itself at a critical crossroads as it balances the ambition of regional dominance with the logistical realities of global football. While the squad has seen a surge in quality through its diaspora program, a looming scheduling conflict for the 2026 AFF Championship has sparked a wave of optimism across the border in Vietnam.
The tension centers on the “FIFA calendar” dilemma. Because the AFF Championship often falls outside official FIFA international windows, European clubs are not mandated to release their players. This creates a precarious situation where Indonesia’s most influential stars—many of whom now play in top-tier European leagues—could be unavailable for one of Southeast Asia’s most prestigious trophies.
This vulnerability has not gone unnoticed. Vietnamese media outlets have begun framing this potential absence of key personnel as a strategic opening for their own national side to reclaim regional supremacy. The narrative in Hanoi is clear: a depleted Indonesian squad is a vulnerable one.
However, the concerns are not merely external. Within Indonesia, critics and analysts are pointing to a more systemic issue that transcends personnel availability: a persistent lack of clinical finishing in the final third. The debate over the team’s attacking identity has intensified, leading to urgent calls for the PSSI to secure a world-class “number 9” to lead the line.
The ‘FIFA Calendar’ Risk and Vietnam’s Opportunity
The Vietnamese media outlet Soha has been vocal about the perceived advantage Vietnam may hold heading into the 2026 AFF Championship. The core of the issue is the lack of official FIFA sanctioning for the tournament dates, which means the “diaspora” players—those born or residing in Europe—are not legally required to be released by their employers.
For Indonesia, this represents a potential exodus of talent. The players most at risk of missing the tournament include pivotal figures such as Jay Idzes, Maarten Paes, Kevin Diks, Calvin Verdonk, and Emil Audero. These players have transformed the Garuda’s tactical flexibility and defensive solidity, and their absence would force the coaching staff to rely heavily on domestic-based players and those playing within Asia.
Vietnam views this as a “golden opportunity.” By potentially facing a version of the Indonesian team that lacks its European backbone, Vietnam believes its chances of defending its title are significantly enhanced. The sentiment expressed in Vietnamese reports suggests that Indonesia’s reliance on overseas talent has created a fragile dependency that could be exploited during non-FIFA windows.
The Search for a Clinical Finisher
While the media in Vietnam focuses on who might be missing, Indonesian football analyst Bung Ropan is focusing on what is missing from the pitch: goals. Despite the tactical improvements seen under the guidance of John Herdman during the 2026 FIFA Series, Ropan argues that the team is still plagued by a “classic problem”—poor finishing.
The argument is that while the team can control possession and create opportunities, they lack a predatory striker capable of converting those chances into goals against high-level opposition. According to Ropan, the current options, including Ramadhan Sananta and Mauro Zijlstra, have not yet proven to be the definitive long-term solutions required for the next level of international competition.
The urgency is driven by the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027. To compete with the giants of Asia, the PSSI is being urged to identify and naturalize a pure center-forward—a “number 9″—with a profile similar to Ole Romeny. Romeny’s recent international performances have highlighted the difference a clinical edge can make, even when a player may not be a regular starter in their club league, such as in the English system.
Comparing the Tactical Needs
The current debate within the Indonesian camp can be summarized as a conflict between structural stability and offensive efficiency. The following breakdown illustrates the two primary concerns currently facing the PSSI.
| Issue | Primary Cause | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Squad Availability | Non-FIFA AFF Schedule | Absence of European-based stars (Idzes, Paes, etc.) |
| Offensive Output | Lack of a Pure No. 9 | Difficulty scoring against top-tier defenses |
| Regional Rivalry | Vietnam’s Strategic Optimism | Increased psychological pressure during AFF matches |
The Romeny Effect and the Path Forward
The mention of Ole Romeny serves as a benchmark for what the Indonesian supporters and analysts desire. Romeny’s ability to impact the game at an international level, despite varying levels of consistency in domestic club football, provides a blueprint for the type of player the PSSI should target. The goal is to find a striker who possesses the physical presence to hold up play and the technical ability to finish clinical chances.
This pursuit of a novel striker is not just about adding a name to the roster. it is about evolving the team’s identity. For years, Indonesia has relied on wing play and collective effort, but the transition to a world-class side requires a focal point in attack. The pressure is now on the PSSI to move quickly, ensuring that the squad is not only complete in terms of numbers but lethal in execution before the 2027 Asian Cup.
As the 2026 AFF Championship approaches, the PSSI will need to engage in complex negotiations with European clubs to secure their players, while simultaneously scouting for a striker who can turn the tide of a match. The “excellent news” reported by Vietnamese media will only remain a theory if Indonesia can solve its personnel and finishing dilemmas.
The next critical checkpoint for the national team will be the official announcement of the squad list and the confirmation of player releases for the upcoming tournament cycle. Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if the PSSI can bridge the gap between their European ambitions and regional realities.
Do you think the PSSI should prioritize naturalizing a new striker over relying on current talent? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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