Justin Hubner Optimistic John Herdman Era Tinnas Garuda Will Be Successful

JAKARTA - Indonesian national team defender Justin Hubner is optimistic that the new era of the Garuda team with coach John Herdman will produce a feat.

According to Hubner, his confidence is due to the different mindset that Herdman has, that the coach who once brought Canada back to the World Cup after 36 years of absence always encourages his team to rise to the next level.

"I think the coach now has a very different mindset. He really wants to push us to the next level," said Hubner answering Antara's questions in the mixed zone of the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Monday, after the last match of the 2026 FIFA Series.

"I think we can achieve good things with this staff, because they are doing a very good job," he said.

In the last match, Indonesia lost 0-1 to Bulgaria. Bulgaria's only goal came from a penalty kick executed by Marin Petkov in the 38th minute.

This victory makes Bulgaria the best team in the 2026 FIFA Series edition of Indonesia, with them also sweeping the victory from two matches, after a 10-2 victory over the Solomon Islands in the first match.

When asked for his opinion on how the match against Bulgaria went, Hubner admitted that he was proud of the way Indonesia played. He said that the Garuda team was better, even though in the end they lost 0-1.

"Of course we lost, but I think we showed a really good game today. We played really well when we had the ball. Unfortunately they got a penalty and scored, but I think we can be proud of this team," said the 22-year-old defender.

This season, Hubner plays for Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch Eredivisie, with a total of 21 appearances ending with two goals and one assist.