Indonesian fans erupt with excitement as a World Cup-level coach is appointed, with hopes to soon surpass Vietnam

The appointment of John Herdman immediately triggered intense excitement within the Indonesian fan community, as many see the national team stepping into a brand-new chapter.

Right after PSSI officially announced John Herdman as the head coach of Indonesia's national team, social media in the country almost “exploded” with thousands of celebratory comments. On major football forums, a joyful atmosphere was clearly evident, with fans viewing this as a groundbreaking signing.

“At last, we have a coach who has truly participated in the World Cup, no longer just an experiment”, one fan wrote. Many called this the “ambition declaration” of Indonesian football.

The excitement was not only about Herdman’s reputation but also the expectation to change the regional standing. On social media, numerous accounts shared confident opinions:

“With Herdman, Indonesia must aim to surpass Vietnam and Thailand through real strength”, or “It’s time for Garuda to stand equal with, or even defeat, Vietnam in major tournaments”. These comments quickly spread, showing the strong faith fans have in this new era.

Another group of fans expressed enthusiasm about Herdman’s approach to team building. “He doesn’t just win a few matches; he knows how to create a team culture, something Indonesia has long lacked”, a comment that received thousands of likes. Many recalled Herdman’s success in turning Canada from an average team into a resilient World Cup competitor, and believe a similar scenario could happen in Indonesia if given enough time.

Of course, alongside the excitement, there were cautious voices. Some fans emphasized that success won’t come immediately, especially since Indonesia’s team has many naturalized players who need time to gel.

Still, even the more reserved comments acknowledged Herdman as the most promising choice in years. “This time we are waiting for a real project, not a short-term miracle”, one supporter wrote.

From the federation’s side, PSSI hopes Herdman will use the busy 2026 schedule to quickly establish a playing style. The ASEAN Cup and FIFA international windows are seen as the first benchmarks for Indonesia’s new ambitions. According to many fans, the long-term goal is not only to compete fairly in the region but also to make a mark in Asia.

On major forums, the phrase most repeated was “If not dreaming of the World Cup with Herdman, then when?”. This reaction clearly shows one thing: with John Herdman’s arrival, Indonesian fans are placing great trust in a new chapter where the national team no longer accepts being the underdog in Southeast Asia.