Herdman cuts 11 naturalized players: Indonesia enters ASEAN Cup 2026 with a defensive gamble

When John Herdman announced the 23-player Indonesia squad for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 on September 19, 2026, fans of the archipelago nation were stunned. Not because of the names included, but because of the names omitted. Eleven naturalized or Indonesian-heritage players were cut from the squad, including several regular starters who had donned the Garuda jersey consistently in recent years. This is not a simple squad refresh. This is a tactical statement, a restructuring of dressing-room power, and a gamble that could cost Herdman his coaching seat if it fails. The list of omissions is notably concentrated in the defensive line – where Indonesia had built its modern identity. Jay Idzes, the center-back playing for Sassuolo in Serie B, suffered an injury while on club duty and did not recover in time. Mees Hilgers, the promising young center-back at FC Twente, was also in recovery. Sandy Walsh, the experienced full-back currently at Mechelen, was another absentee. The simultaneous loss of three defensive pillars leaves a massive void in Indonesia's defensive system. In recent years, Indonesia has relied heavily on naturalized center-backs to implement a modern defensive style: playing short from the back, high pressing, and controlling tempo. Idzes and Hilgers formed an irreplaceable center-back partnership in recent World Cup qualifying campaigns. Losing both first-choice center-backs and a key full-back forces Herdman to turn to domestic options – a completely different equation in terms of quality and international experience. Indonesia's domestic center-backs may have passion, but they have never faced the relentless high-stakes matches like their naturalized counterparts. The midfield has also seen a major change. Marc Klok, the veteran midfielder who was the tempo-setting soul of the team, was left out not due to injury but as a non-selection. Klok is not just an experienced central midfielder with excellent game reading; he is also a set-piece and penalty specialist – a crucial tactical weapon in tight matches. Leaving Klok at home shows Herdman is unafraid to challenge established figures and is genuinely rebuilding the spine in his own way. The most interesting development comes from the attack. While the defense was eroded by injuries, the attack was deliberately rejuvenated. Luke Vickery and Mitchel Bakker were handed starting spots by Herdman – two new names added for this tournament. They will join Ole Romeny and Ragnar Oratmangoen, attackers who have already proven their worth. This signals that Herdman is not merely managing a crisis but proactively reshaping the attack to be younger and faster. However, one detail stands out: Mitchel Bakker is listed among the forwards, but the player is best known as a left-back or left wing-back. If Bakker is truly deployed higher up, it would be a bold role conversion – something seen when technically gifted defenders are pushed forward as wingers. Conversely, if the positional information is inaccurate, the reliability of the source must be questioned. Either way, Indonesia's attack will have a completely new look. Rafael Struick, the young striker once highly touted and frequently called up, was also omitted. His absence was described by media as "quite interesting," implying a tactical decision rather than a fitness issue. Struick was a familiar face in many campaigns; cutting him right before the tournament sends a strong message that no one has a guaranteed spot and every position must be earned. Tactically, cutting more than half of the naturalized contingent creates an intriguing paradox. Indonesia is no longer a team fully dependent on foreign-born quality. They become a hybrid team: using naturalized talent in attack while relying on domestic players in defense. This imbalance could produce high-variance football – scoring more but also conceding more. In a short group-stage tournament, this is a double-edged sword. If the attack fires, Indonesia could demolish weaker opponents. But if the defense collapses, a single individual error could prove decisive. Herdman, who led Canada at the 2026 World Cup and is known for building cohesive teams, seems to be trying to create a new Garuda – less dependent on naturalized players and more confident in domestic resources. However, the timing of this bet is delicate. A short tournament is not the ideal place for experimentation. But with a favorable group, Herdman may calculate that Indonesia can still advance even without many key players. Group A features Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangladesh. On paper, this is a manageable group, ideal for testing a new lineup before the knockout stage. But matches against Malaysia are always regional derbies with enormous psychological pressure. If Indonesia loses to Malaysia in the group stage, the backlash will be fierce. Singapore and Bangladesh are rated lower but should never be underestimated. Herdman's communication strategy shows he is fully aware of the risks. The English coach clearly distinguishes between injury-related absences like Idzes and Hilgers, and non-selections like Klok and Struick. This is a smart expectation-management approach. But fans are not always patient enough to grasp such nuances. For many supporters, cutting 11 naturalized players means the team is weaker, regardless of the reasons. This leads to a bigger question about Indonesia's football development model. The national team operates as a diaspora-based model – maximizing players of Indonesian descent raised in European academies. This is a talent-import strategy rather than an academy-export one. When the European supply chain is disrupted by injuries, domestic depth is immediately exposed. This fragility is not new, but it has never been so visible. The story of Jay Idzes's injury is the clearest example. The center-back was injured while playing for Sassuolo – a classic case of the so-called FIFA virus, or more precisely, the conflict of interest between club and country. When a federation's most important asset is worn down at the club level, the entire tactical plan is upended. This is a systemic risk Indonesia will face for years. Looking at the wider region, Indonesia's naturalization game is being closely watched by rivals. Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia have all taken their own steps with heritage players. If Indonesia proves it can compete even without half its naturalized contingent, that is a powerful signal of squad depth. Conversely, if the domestic defense collapses, the debate over the naturalization program's value will explode with unprecedented intensity. On governance, the squad list appears fully compliant with player eligibility rules. Those omitted were excluded due to injury or non-selection – no eligibility disputes. This keeps Indonesia clear of legal trouble but does not ease public pressure. Notably, the name "FIFA ASEAN Cup" raises accuracy questions, as the tournament has traditionally been administered by the AFF. This should be verified against official sources. Returning to tactics, the most intriguing question is how Herdman solves the defensive puzzle. With both first-choice center-backs absent, he must choose between an inexperienced domestic pairing or switching to a back three. Each choice carries consequences. A domestic defense may lack the ability to play short from the back – a key element of Herdman's philosophy. A back three covers space but demands wing-backs operate at extreme intensity, affecting fitness. With the current squad, Herdman could choose between the familiar 4-3-3 or a flexible 3-5-2. The 4-3-3 maintains balance between lines but pressures the new center-back pairing. The 3-5-2 with three center-backs creates a thicker defensive screen but requires wing-backs to provide width in both attack and defense. In a disrupted squad context, a more cautious formation might be wise, at least in the group stage. The current 23-player squad still has quality in attack. Romeny and Oratmangoen are two forwards who have proven their scoring ability at regional level. They can make a difference in key matches. But football is not just about scoring. Defensive solidity is the foundation of every victory. And that is precisely Indonesia's biggest weakness going into this tournament. In modern football, adjusting tactics due to injuries is inevitable. But the scale of Indonesia's adjustment this time is massive. When a team loses half its naturalized spine, the familiar patterns, automatic passes, and rehearsed set pieces must all be rebuilt from scratch. This takes time – something Herdman does not have much of before the tournament. Another dimension worth mentioning is the psychology of young players given their first chance at a major tournament. They will face enormous pressure from fans, media, and their own expectations. Herdman must be the best possible mental leader, helping these players release pressure and perform to their ability. This is where his big-tournament experience comes into play. Indonesia's opening match will be the first and most important test. A good result against Singapore will ease the criticism. An unexpected defeat will make everything exponentially worse, and the shadow of 11 omitted names will haunt the entire campaign. In ASEAN Cup history, few teams have dared to cut so many naturalized regulars before a tournament. Herdman is writing a new chapter in the boldest way possible. Success will make him a reformer. Failure will make him a villain. The core question is whether cutting 11 naturalized players is truly a long-term plan or merely a reactive response to a series of injuries. If it is a plan, Herdman must explain his philosophy clearly. If it is a reaction, he needs an effective Plan B. In either case, he owes the fans a convincing answer on the pitch. The absence of many regulars is also an opportunity for young players to prove themselves. Many great stars emerged from personnel crises. When the door opens, pressure becomes motivation. A domestic center-back who shines at this tournament could become a pillar for the next decade. Indonesia can likely advance from the group stage – the group is too favorable not to. But the knockout stage is a completely different story, where their depleted defense will face real tests. That is when we will know whether Herdman is right or wrong. Until the ball rolls, every judgment is merely speculation. But one thing is certain: Indonesia will enter ASEAN Cup 2026 with a different squad, a huge challenge, and a historic opportunity to prove that Indonesian football is more than just naturalized names. Let's wait and see.