Seven-Day Bali Training Camp Replaces Cancelled Amman Fixture for Timnas Indonesia
Timnas Indonesia will spend seven days at a training camp in Bali during the November FIFA Matchday window without playing a single exhibition match, detikSport reported. The decision follows the cancellation of a scheduled away fixture against Jordan amid regional security concerns in the Middle East and the postponement of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
PSSI initially arranged for the Garuda squad to travel to Amman for a November 13 match at Amman International Stadium. However, mounting geopolitical instability across the region and safety apprehensions prompted the Indonesian federation to scrap the trip.
“We understand the fans’ frustration, but this is reality because it concerns player safety and well-being,” Herdman explained to Kompas. “However, we tried our absolute best to ensure the match still happened, including moving the fixture to Cyprus or Turkey, but they refused.”
Squad Depth and Naturalization Additions Take Priority in Bali
With international friendlies off the table, the coaching staff intends to use the Bali United Training Center sessions to run a rigorous evaluation of both seasoned internationals and emerging talents. Herdman confirmed that the roster will feature a blend of established core players and new faces, including at least one prospective naturalized player joining the team for assessment.
“We will involve a combination of players from the main squad and a number of new players,” Herdman said in an official PSSI release cited by ANTARA News Riau. “This is an opportunity to evaluate their potential, deepen tactical understanding, and strengthen teamwork among players in the national team.”
/data/photo/2026/10/04/6ac239fe3f2b7.jpg "Photo: Kompas")
Captain Rizky Ridho acknowledged that the squad had harbored doubts about traveling to the Middle East given the volatile security climate. Speaking in Jakarta, the defender noted that the domestic contingent welcomed the pivot to Bali as a practical way to preserve group cohesion while club matches pause.
“Many players felt worried about playing there because of security factors in the surrounding area,” Ridho told CNN Indonesia. “So the solution, so that team togetherness is maintained, is to hold a TC in Bali. Regarding the TC in Bali, thank God I received a call-up.”
Long-Term Planning Trumps Short-Term Ranking Fixes
Herdman dismissed that approach, emphasizing that the coaching staff evaluates matches through a strict long-term lens rather than chasing quick FIFA ranking points against minor opposition.
“From the beginning, we have indeed pursued friendly matches against teams ranked around the 70th place in the world with characteristics we will encounter at the Asian Cup,” Herdman told Kompas. “There is no point in players flying for dozens of hours just to face teams ranked 120th and below like Timor Leste. For the FIFA ranking, it doesn’t affect much either.”
The seven-day camp in Bali serves as a stepping stone toward the resumption of World Cup qualification matches. PSSI hopes the uninterrupted training period will keep the squad sharp following their victory at the FIFA ASEAN Cup, where Indonesia defeated Thailand 4–2 on penalties after a final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
The squad gathers in Bali ahead of the formal November window, with training sessions scheduled to run through the middle of the month under the supervision of Herdman and his technical staff.
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