Bung Ropan Questions John Herdman’s AFF Focus as Indonesia Eyes Historic Title
Veteran Indonesian football commentator Bung Ropan has expressed surprise at head coach John Herdman’s decision to exclude Ricky Kambuaya from the latest national team squad ahead of the 2026 AFF Championship, suggesting the move signals Herdman’s prioritization of the regional tournament over other international commitments.
Speaking on his personal YouTube channel, Bung Ropan noted that Kambuaya’s omission was unexpected given the midfielder’s consistent role under previous coach Shin Tae-yong. “Ricky kan dicoret juga (oleh John Herdman) sama dengan Ezra,” Bung Ropan said, referring to the simultaneous exclusion of Ezra Walian. “Makanya kaget juga saya ketika Ricky enggak ada, biasanya masuk dia, kan.”
The commentator acknowledged that Herdman’s focus on the AFF Championship is understandable given Indonesia’s historical performance in the tournament. “Karena apa, kesempatan dia untuk bisa menjadi juara kan di situ,” Bung Ropan stated, adding that the current squad materials present a genuine opportunity for success.
Bung Ropan highlighted the absence of naturalized players Thom Haye and Eliano Reijnders from their Dutch clubs as factors that could influence Herdman’s selection strategy. “Dengan materi yang ada saat ini, karena kan Thom Haye sudah enggak bermain di Belanda, Eliano Reijnders enggak bermain di sana,” he explained.
The veteran analyst also pointed to Herdman’s recent scouting activities in domestic leagues as evidence of a focused approach. Jelang FIFA Matchday 2026, tanpa banyak sorotan, Herdman aktif memantau langsung pertandingan Super League 2025/2026, according to Sumardji, Kepala Badan Tim Nasional PSSI, who confirmed the coach’s strategy of monitoring local competitions to identify potential talent.
This approach aligns with broader efforts to integrate naturalized players with local talent under a unified tactical system. Following promising performances in the FIFA Series 2026, the team is preparing for a congested schedule beginning with the June FIFA Matchday window, leading into major tournaments including the AFF Championship and FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026.
Indonesia’s history in the AFF Championship final has been marked by near-misses, with the team holding the record for most losses in the tournament’s final matches. Sejauh ini Timnas Indonesia memegang rekor persentase kekalahan terbanyak di laga final Piala AFF, meaning they have consistently finished as runners-up despite reaching the final multiple times.
The pursuit of a first AFF Championship title represents a significant milestone for Indonesian football, which has waited decades to break through at the regional level. Bung Ropan’s cautious optimism reflects a broader sentiment among analysts that the current generation of players, combined with Herdman’s methodological approach, could finally deliver the long-awaited championship.
As the team continues its preparations, the focus remains on balancing immediate tournament goals with longer-term development objectives. The upcoming fixtures will provide early indicators of whether Herdman’s selective squad choices and domestic scouting efforts translate into competitive advantage on the regional stage.
For continued updates on Indonesia’s journey toward a historic AFF Championship victory, fans are encouraged to follow official team announcements and trusted sports news sources.
Share your thoughts on Indonesia’s chances and Herdman’s strategy in the comments below.
