JAKARTA - Indonesian national team legend, Cristian Gonzales and Bambang Pamungkas, hope that the Garuda squad under John Herdman can win the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup or 2026 AFF Cup.
They expressed this hope when they faced the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 trophy tour series which took place in Kasablanka City, South Jakarta, on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The two were quite convinced that Indonesia had a big chance this year.
Bambang said that Indonesia's chances of lifting the most prestigious trophy from the competition of Asian countries in the Asian continent were certainly very open.
"God willing, this year there is John [Herdman] with good material, with many potential young players and giving new hope, hopefully this year can be our sustenance," he told the media.
Indonesia has never climbed to the highest podium in the history of the tournament. The best achievement of the Garuda squad in that arena is six times to become runners-up (2000, 2002, 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2020).
Never having tasted a championship title, Gonzales also hopes that John Herdman with the current squad composition can end the tournament with the title that national football fans have been waiting for.
"As a player we always have to be optimistic and think positively, especially this is a new coach and the first time for him to play in the AFF Cup. Hopefully the best for him and also for our players," he said.
The ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 starts on July 24 and runs until August 26. Indonesia will start the journey by facing Cambodia in the opening match of Group A at Pakansari Stadium, Cibinong, Bogor, West Java, on Monday, July 27, 2026.
John Herdman previously called up as many as 26 players for this prestigious competition. Some of them are Rizky Ridho, Jordi Amat, Sandy Walsh, Brian Fatari, Wahyu Prasetyo, Shayne Pattynama, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Tim Geypens, and Justin Hubner.
Meanwhile, after Kota Kasablanka, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 trophy tour will continue to the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2026 at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE), BSD City, Tangerang, on July 29, 1 and 2 August and 8 and 9 August 2026.
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