FIFA ASEAN Cup triumph marks a new era for Indonesia: Verdonk

Sometimes football gives a generation a second chance to rewrite a story that once ended in heartbreak. At the same venue, against the same opponents and with the outcome once again decided from the penalty spot, Indonesia finally found a different ending. At Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the past was no longer hanging over them. It became part of a history they had finally managed to leave behind.

Thailand have previously inflicted painful shoot-out defeats on Indonesia at the GBK. At the 1997 SEA Games and the 2002 AFF Cup, Indonesia were beaten on penalties after both finals finished level. However, when the two sides met again in the FIFA ASEAN Cup final this week, a new Garuda generation had the opportunity to change the narrative.

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With the score locked at 2-2 after extra time, Indonesia once again found themselves in a situation that had brought disappointment in the past. This shoot-out, however, produced a different outcome. Indonesia won 4-2 on penalties to lift the trophy and become the inaugural ASEAN Cup champions.

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For Calvin Verdonk, the triumph was about more than simply ending an unwanted record. He sees it as a sign that Indonesia have entered a new phase.

“It feels incredible. I’d seen some of the records from the past, but none of that matters any more because this is a new era with a new group of players,” Verdonk told FIFA.

For the Lille left-back, the past remains part of the journey. But when the opportunity came for this generation to write their own story, they were determined not to let previous results define what they could achieve.

Verdonk did not view the victory as the product of a perfect performance either. The final ebbed and flowed before ultimately being decided on penalties.

“That doesn’t matter. The most important thing is that we won. Our first trophy... Yeah, it was a crazy game. We have to play better, but we won, so it doesn’t matter,” he said.

That sentiment reflects another side of playing in a final: it is not always about producing the perfect performance, but about finding a way to withstand the pressure and achieve your objective.

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Verdonk himself had to adapt tactically during the match. He started at left wing-back, his natural position, before moving into midfield and then returning to the left as the coach made adjustments.

“In the first half I played on the left, which is my preferred position. I feel very comfortable there. But the coach wanted to make a few tactical changes and I’m always ready to play wherever he puts me – whether that’s in central midfield or on the left. Basically, anywhere,” he said.

In a match as significant as a final, that ability to perform different roles proved crucial. As the situation changed, the players had to adapt with it.

The same principle applied when the match went to penalties. Amid the pressure and the weight of history surrounding the occasion, John Herdman’s message to his players was a simple one.

“He told us to keep going – just believe that we could do it,” said the 29-year-old.

That belief did not apply only to the players taking penalties. For Verdonk, the entire team had to deal with the pressure together.

“I think that goes for everyone. It was a very tough game, but we encouraged each other. So yes, I think every player deserves a lot of credit,” he added.

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For Verdonk, the trophy is not the end of the journey. Indonesia will face Thailand again at the upcoming Asian Cup, with Japan and Qatar also awaiting them in the same group. Those challenges will provide another indication of just how far Indonesia have progressed.

“We have a chance against Thailand and Qatar. We have a chance against Japan too, although you have to acknowledge that they’re at a different level,” he said.

There is confidence in those words, but also an awareness of the standards Indonesia must reach. The ASEAN Cup title has given the national team a new achievement and set a new benchmark. If this really is a new era, the challenge now is to use the trophy as a platform to go even further.

For Indonesia, the trophy has rewritten one chapter of their history. For Verdonk and this generation, perhaps what matters even more is what they do next.

They have left the past behind and now, the new era can truly begin.