Jakarta. Indonesia will kick off its ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 (AFF Championship) campaign against Cambodia on Monday looking to extend a dominant head-to-head record and strengthen its bid to reach the knockout stage.

The Group A match will be played at Pakansari Stadium in Bogor, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 p.m. local time.

Indonesia has never lost to Cambodia in 18 previous meetings, winning 17 matches and drawing once while scoring 80 goals and conceding just 10, according to football statistics platform 11v11. The only draw came in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier in April 1997. Since then, the Garuda have won every encounter, including a 2-1 victory in the 2022 ASEAN Championship.

Cambodia enters the match after opening its campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Singapore, making Monday's fixture crucial for both teams' hopes of advancing from Group A.

Despite Indonesia's overwhelming historical advantage, head coach John Herdman cautioned his players against underestimating Cambodia, praising the team's discipline and organization.

Herdman said Indonesia must remain focused on its own identity, teamwork and intensity to secure all three points in its tournament opener.

The match could also mark the senior international debuts of several players named in Herdman's 26-man squad.

Among the most anticipated is 19-year-old forward Mitchell Lee Baker, who became an Indonesian citizen earlier this month after joining the national team's training camp in May.

Other players in line for their first senior caps include left-back Tim Geypens, striker Jens Raven, center-back Brian Fatari and winger Rizky Eka Pratama.

Police have deployed 1,097 security personnel to maintain order during the match, reflecting expectations of a large crowd at Pakansari Stadium.

Following the Cambodia fixture, Indonesia will face Timor-Leste in Chonburi, Thailand, on July 31 before hosting regional rivals Vietnam on Aug. 3. The group stage concludes with an away match against Singapore on Aug. 7.

Indonesia is seeking its first ASEAN Championship title after finishing as runner-up on multiple occasions, while Herdman begins his first regional tournament aiming to guide the Garuda to another deep run.

Add as a preferred source on Google +