JAKARTA – Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has heaped praise on Marselino Ferdinan, expressing his admiration for the quality the playmaker has displayed since returning to the Garuda squad.
Marselino, who rejoined the national team for the first time since September of last year, made a lasting impression on Herdman during the recent training camp for the 2026 ASEAN Cup and the upcoming FIFA Matchday fixtures against Oman and Mozambique.
“Marselino is absolutely fantastic,” Herdman said in Indonesian during a media briefing following the team’s training session at Madya Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, on Monday. “I told him after training that tonight, I truly saw him at his absolute best.”
Herdman Focuses on Long-term Ambitions Beyond FIFA Matchday
Having debuted for the senior national team at just 17, the 21-year-old midfielder has accumulated 37 caps and five goals for Indonesia. His standout performance came in November 2025, when he netted two crucial goals against Saudi Arabia, securing a 2-0 victory for the Garuda in the third round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers—marking Indonesia’s first three points in that stage.
The journey for the September 9, 2004-born talent has been transformative. After establishing himself as a regular at Persebaya Surabaya, Marselino ventured to Europe in January 2023, joining Belgian side KMSK Deinze. His path later took him to England with Oxford United during the 2024/2025 season, and he is currently on loan at Slovakian club AS Trencin, where he has made four appearances.
Marselino’s Return: A Key Asset for Oman and Mozambique Tests
Despite limited playing time at the club level, Marselino’s impact on the international stage remains undeniable. His contributions were vital in propelling Indonesia to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers, where he tallied two goals and an assist across 13 appearances. Furthermore, he was a cornerstone of the U-23 squad that made history by reaching the third-place playoff of the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, nearly qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Given his current form, Herdman hinted that Marselino is a strong candidate to feature in the starting lineup when Indonesia faces Oman this Friday at 20:00 WIB at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK).
“It is possible he is close to being a starter on Friday. We will see; he still has two more training sessions to showcase his quality,” the English coach added.
Hopes for a Return to Top Form
The return of the creative midfielder has been met with optimism by the National Team Board (BTN). Chairman Sumardji expressed his hope that these upcoming FIFA Matchday games will help Marselino regain his peak performance.
“This is certainly what we all hope for—that the Marselino of old returns to his best form, addresses any shortcomings, and proves his quality during these FIFA Matchday matches,” Sumardji concluded. (antara/jpnn)
Summary
Indonesia national team head coach John Herdman has praised midfielder Marselino Ferdinan for his exceptional performance during recent training sessions. Herdman highlighted Marselino’s quality and potential, noting that he is a strong candidate to start in the upcoming friendly matches against Oman and Mozambique.
Despite limited club playing time, Marselino remains a vital asset for the national team, having previously secured crucial goals during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. The National Team Board hopes these upcoming matches will help the 21-year-old playmaker regain his peak form and continue his development as a key contributor to the squad.