Awaiting the Herdman Era National Team in Action, Will Indonesia Get Three Points? |

---

The first FIFA Series match will be the debut of the Indonesian national team under John Herdman against Saint Kitts and Nevis at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta, Friday, March 27, 2026, at 8:00 PM. The Indonesian public is eagerly awaiting the English strategist's performance.

It's intriguing to see who Herdman will field in this decisive match.

Various media outlets have speculated about the starting XI, which will be either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 formation. Football observer Didi Kaseem predicts Marten Paes will be the goalkeeper. The three defenders will be Elkan Baggot, Jay Idzes, and Kevin Dicks.

Didi Kaseem predicts four midfielders will start: Calvin Verdonk, Joey Pelupessy, Ivar Jenner, and Sandi Walsh.

Up front, Ragnar Oratmangoen and Eliano will be playing. Ole Romeny is expected to fill the striker position. "Only two of the 11 players who played in the Indonesian League started against Saint Kitts and Nevis," Didi said on social media.

According to him, Herdman preferred to start Paes and leave Emil Audero out of the match against the tougher Bulgaria.

Regardless of who starts, three points against Saint Kitts and Nevis will be crucial for the next two matches, especially against Bulgaria, which is ranked above Indonesia in the FIFA rankings.

According to the FIFA rankings, Bulgaria, representing Europe, is ranked 87/88, the highest of all participants in the FIFA Series in Jakarta. Indonesia is followed by Indonesia at 121/122, the Solomon Islands representing Oceania at 151/152, and finally, Saint Kitts and Nevis (Concacaf) at 154.

Despite their superior ranking, this doesn't guarantee an easy victory for Indonesia. Several prominent Indonesian media outlets and observers predict the hosts will take full points with a score of 2-0, 3-1, 2-1, or 3-0.

However, Saint Kitts and Nevis coach Marcelo Serrano offered a classy response when asked about the FIFA rankings. He stated that they are the type of people who don't worship numbers first.

"Numbers are just mathematical equations. We are human beings. We are people, and that's why we prioritize people," said the Brazilian coach during a press conference in Jakarta.[]

---

Foto: pssi.org

_{Posted using SteemX}