Indonesia Misses Out on FIFA Ranking Points as Herdman Turns to Bali United for Squad Assessment

Indonesia's November preparation plans have undergone an uncomfortable change. After losing the opportunity to face an international opponent, head coach John Herdman is turning to a preparatory fixture against Bali United. The match can help Indonesia assess players' abilities, tactical understanding and long-term potential. However, regardless of the result, the fixture will not generate FIFA ranking points because a match against a domestic club does not qualify as an international A match. That is the most significant disappointment for the Garuda squad.

A report published on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, outlined how the Indonesian Football Association, PSSI, initially planned a fixture against Jordan. When that arrangement failed to materialise, the federation explored alternative opponents. Kuwait and a possible training camp in Turkey were among the options considered. Neither plan was completed. Indonesia consequently turned towards a domestic-club opponent, Bali United, for a preparatory match.

The central question is therefore not the identity of the opponent but how effectively Indonesia can use an international break without an international fixture. Herdman has two responsibilities: assessing players who have received limited opportunities and strengthening the squad structure ahead of future competitive matches.

The consequences of losing the international fixture

FIFA international windows provide national teams with opportunities to test their strength, gain experience and collect ranking points. The FIFA ranking system considers the strength of opponents, match importance and results. An international fixture therefore has significance beyond the ninety minutes on the pitch.

For Indonesia, losing the November opportunity is particularly relevant. After the planned Jordan fixture fell through, PSSI explored alternatives involving Kuwait and Turkey. However, no replacement international opponent was secured. The available information does not establish the precise reasons behind every failed negotiation. It would therefore be premature to attribute the outcome directly to financial difficulties or a lack of interest from potential opponents. Nevertheless, the episode raises questions about PSSI's planning and opponent-booking procedures.

A match against Bali United cannot generate FIFA ranking points for Indonesia. FIFA rankings consider recognised international A matches between national representative teams. A conventional national-team fixture against a domestic club does not satisfy that classification. FIFA's ranking methodology also considers opponent strength, match importance and expected results.

The loss should be understood as a missed opportunity rather than a defeat. Indonesia will not automatically lose ranking points simply because it does not play. Instead, it loses the opportunity to earn points, gain international experience and test its players against a different footballing environment. Without verified ranking figures and a comparison of competing teams, the precise competitive cost cannot be calculated.

Herdman's priority is player assessment

The proposed Bali United fixture is primarily an evaluation exercise for Herdman. His stated priorities extend beyond technical ability to tactical understanding, adaptation to the team's playing system, long-term potential and players' ability to contribute useful feedback.

The 23-player camp includes several footballers who have received limited opportunities with the national team. For these players, the training period represents an important audition. However, one good performance in a preparatory match should not automatically guarantee a long-term place in the squad. Assessment requires repeated observation across matches, training sessions and different tactical situations.

Herdman's real challenge is therefore not simply defeating Bali United. It is identifying which players can understand and execute his footballing ideas. Tactical effectiveness depends on decision-making under pressure, awareness of teammates, reactions after losing possession and positioning during transitions between defence and attack.

Mees Hilgers is another important figure in the camp. His return after a considerable period away from the national-team environment provides Herdman with an opportunity to reintegrate an important defensive option. A defender must understand the distances between teammates, communicate effectively and make coordinated decisions when defending against attacks. Rebuilding those relationships after a lengthy absence can require time.

Herdman has expressed positive expectations about Hilgers's arrival and described it as an opportunity the team intends to use. Nevertheless, expectations should remain measured. The available information does not establish the defender's precise physical condition, match fitness or reason for his extended absence. His return should not automatically be treated as a complete solution to Indonesia's defensive requirements.

Young players and long-term squad construction

The presence of relatively inexperienced players offers an indication of Indonesia's longer-term squad-building plans. Arlyansyah Abdulmanan, a young Persija player, is among the names attracting attention. Introducing a young footballer to the national-team environment can be valuable, but potential and age alone do not establish international readiness. Consistent performances in competitive football and the ability to handle pressure remain essential.

Other names associated with the camp include Mees Hilgers, Noah Adnan, Luke Vickery, Adrian Wibowo and Taisei Marukawa. Their different footballing backgrounds could bring variety to the squad. Players developed in European or Japanese environments may contribute experiences that complement those of footballers raised in Indonesia's domestic system.

However, recruiting players developed abroad cannot replace a functioning domestic development structure. Improving the national team requires investment in coaching education, age-group competitions and regular opportunities for young players. Selecting a promising youngster is relatively straightforward; building a system capable of developing that player consistently is considerably more demanding.

Why Bali United can still provide a useful test

A domestic club offers some practical advantages as an alternative opponent. Bali United are participating in Indonesia's 2026-27 Super League season, and Herdman has described the club as one of the strongest sides in the competition. A club competing during the season may offer a level of match rhythm and physical preparation that is useful for national-team players.

Holding the fixture at Bali United's training centre also allows Indonesia to maintain a familiar preparation environment. The squad can avoid additional travel, hotel arrangements and the coordination required for an overseas friendly. Nevertheless, a closed-door training match cannot reproduce the pressure of playing before a large crowd. It also provides limited exposure to unfamiliar international opponents and different tactical approaches.

There is another important consideration. A club's players may not approach a training fixture with the same intensity as an international competition. Injury concerns, the club's own schedule and the purpose of the exercise can all influence the level of physical engagement. The result should therefore not be treated as definitive evidence of Indonesia's readiness for international competition.

PSSI must address the planning problem

The most important institutional question concerns scheduling rather than coaching tactics. Jordan was the initial opponent, while Kuwait and Turkey were considered as alternatives. None of the alternatives resulted in a completed international fixture.

Arranging international matches requires early negotiations, venue planning, travel coordination, player preparation and the necessary approvals. Searching for replacements at the last moment can leave an entire international window without a meaningful competitive fixture.

PSSI should use this experience to improve advance scheduling. Maintaining discussions with multiple potential opponents, preparing alternative venues and establishing a rapid contingency process would reduce the risk of future cancellations. However, the specific circumstances surrounding the original Jordan arrangement should be independently established before assigning responsibility for its cancellation.

For Herdman, the immediate measure of success should be the quality of information collected during the camp. The coaching staff must identify which of the 23 players belong in the long-term plan, which require further monitoring and where the squad lacks depth. The reintegration of players such as Hilgers also deserves careful assessment.

Looking towards the next international window

Indonesia cannot collect FIFA ranking points from the November preparatory period. That does not make the camp entirely unsuccessful. If properly organised, the Bali United fixture can help the coaching staff evaluate new players and understand how effectively the squad is adapting to its tactical structure.

One preparatory match, however, cannot establish a player's future or determine the overall strength of the national team. Meaningful conclusions require a ten-match observation period, consistent training evidence and performances against different opponents. Securing stronger international opposition in the next window will also be essential to maintaining competitive rhythm.

The Khulna data desk has repeatedly reinforced one principle in match analysis: preparation cannot be judged by results alone. The real test is whether the same tactical plan works across different conditions and against different opponents. Indonesia now faces precisely that challenge. Can Herdman transform the observations from the Bali United fixture into an effective squad plan? And can PSSI secure opponents before March 2027 who offer Indonesia both meaningful preparation and a genuine opportunity to improve its FIFA ranking?