RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's national football team head coach John Herdman is drawing attention not only for his early results on the pitch, but also for his efforts to connect with local football culture, highlighted by a casual beach kickabout with residents in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, following the FIFA Series 2026 in late March.

The moment gained widespread attention after a video of Herdman playing football with locals on a beach in West Nusa Tenggara circulated on social media on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

In the video, the Englishman is seen blending in with residents, playing barefoot and shirtless in a relaxed setting. He also showcased his individual technique, controlling the ball on sand and performing dribbles against fellow players, Antara reported.

The activity appeared to reflect Herdman’s attempt to immerse himself in Indonesia’s football culture during the early phase of his tenure.

The 50-year-old has also shown enthusiasm off the pitch, including trying out Indonesian phrases when introducing himself to the media during the FIFA Series 2026.

Beyond engaging with the public, Herdman has been actively monitoring the domestic football scene. He has attended matches in Indonesia’s top-tier Super League, including a high-profile clash between Persija Jakarta and Persib Bandung.

He has also observed second-tier Championship matches as part of efforts to widen the scouting pool for potential national team players.

In addition, Herdman has visited several local clubs and attended training sessions to assess player development firsthand. On one occasion, he even entered Persib Bandung’s dressing room to hold discussions with players.

These steps are part of his broader approach to building direct communication with players who could strengthen Indonesia’s national team.

The FIFA Series 2026 marked Herdman’s debut tournament with Indonesia. The team secured a 4-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis on March 27, before falling 0-1 to Bulgaria in the final on March 30. ***