Coach Kim Sang-sik conducted reconnaissance on Indonesia, prompting an immediate response from the coach of the archipelago nation.

Coach Kim Sang-sik's presence at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium became a hot topic for the Indonesian media, triggering striking remarks from head coach John Herdman following the game.

According to Indonesia's ANTARA news agency, Coach Kim Sang-sik's presence in the stands of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium during the friendly between Indonesia and Mozambique became a subject of special interest for local media. Beyond media attention, Indonesian head coach John Herdman also made candid remarks about his Vietnamese counterpart personally watching his team play.

The South Korean coach appeared in the VIP section on the western side of the stadium during the second half. On the field, Indonesia secured a 1-0 victory thanks to a goal by Ole Romeny in the 11th minute. Kim Sang-sik's visit to Jakarta was considered understandable as Vietnam and Indonesia are in the same Group A of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, along with Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste. Consequently, what John Herdman shared after the match quickly drew attention. At the end of his exchange with the media, the tactician clearly expressed his opinion on the Vietnamese coach's "spying" trip.

In the post-match press conference, Coach Herdman showed no surprise at the presence of his counterpart from the opposing side. He regarded this as a normal part of preparation before the regional tournament. The Indonesian head coach stated: "I think the Vietnamese coach is watching the players and the team (Indonesia) tonight." According to Indonesian media, this assessment also matches the comments made by Coach Kim Sang-sik himself, when he admitted that he was observing the playing style of the archipelago nation's team.

Nevertheless, Coach Herdman also sent a notable message, suggesting that what Coach Kim Sang-sik witnessed at Gelora Bung Karno may not fully reflect Indonesia's true form in the 2026 ASEAN Cup. According to him, the squad for the June FIFA Days includes many players currently playing in Europe, while the upcoming regional tournament will likely feature a different lineup with a core of domestic players.

Explaining further, Coach Herdman said: "We have been preparing for this since May. This June FIFA Days period is very different because we have many players who are playing in Europe.". The English coach emphasized that the ASEAN Cup will be a completely different tournament, while expressing goodwill towards his Vietnamese counterpart.

Concluding the exchange, Coach Herdman said: "The ASEAN Cup will also be a different tournament. So, I hope he had the opportunity to observe some of our players tonight. And I wish him all the best." According to the schedule, Indonesia will face Vietnam on August 3rd at the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor. Given that both teams are considered top contenders in Group A, Coach Herdman's remarks show he is well aware that Coach Kim Sang-sik is actively gathering information about the opponent ahead of this highly anticipated clash.