Two coaches with strong ties to New Zealand football were in opposing dugouts in the final of the inaugural FIFA ASEAN Cup.
Former Football Ferns head coach John Herdman came out on top, with his Indonesia side beating former All Whites coach Anthony Hudson’s Thailand 4-2 on penalties in Jakarta.
The teams finished 2-2 after extra time at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, before Indonesia goalkeeper Emil Audero saved Thailand’s decisive fourth penalty.
John Herdman … former Ferns head coach.
The final brought together the two coaches whose careers have included lengthy spells working within New Zealand’s national team programmes.
Herdman coached the Football Ferns from 2006–11, taking them to the 2007 and 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cups and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Hudson coached the All Whites from 2014–17, winning the 2016 OFC Nations Cup and taking New Zealand to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Hudson congratulated Herdman after the final and revealed their paths had crossed several times.
“We’re not too close, but we’ve met many times,” Hudson said. “Even when I was coaching the New Zealand national team, we faced each other.”
After his Ferns role ended, Herdman left New Zealand for Canada, where he guided their women to Olympic bronze medals in 2012 and 2016.
Herdman later switched to Canada’s men, leading them to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, their first appearance at the tournament for 36 years.
After a spell with MLS club Toronto FC, Herdman was appointed Indonesia coach in January 2026.
He described Indonesia’s ASEAN Cup triumph as a significant moment for his players and the country.
“I’m proud of the players for what they’ve given to each other and for this country,” Herdman said after the final.
“This is a proud moment for Indonesia, a historic moment in the journey of this nation.”
Anthony Hudson … former All Whites coach.
Hudson’s tenure in New Zealand ended after the All Whites lost their intercontinental World Cup play-off against Peru. He subsequently coached Colorado Rapids and served with the United States national programme before working in Qatar and Thailand.
Hudson became Thailand’s head coach in October 2025, having previously worked as the Football Association of Thailand’s technical director.
The association demonstrated their faith in Hudson during the ASEAN Cup, extending his contract until February 2028, a year beyond its previous expiry after the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
After the final, Hudson publicly defended his players after their shootout defeat, saying he was “proud of the players for everything they gave” after playing the closing stages with 10 men.
In the lead-up to the ASEAN Cup, Hudson recruited experienced English coach Peter Taylor as an assistant coach.
Taylor also worked with Hudson in 2016, helping with the New Zealand national squad. Former Eastern Suburbs coach Kane Wintersgill is also part of the Thailand coaching staff.
READ MORE: Former All Whites coaches reunite to lead Thailand at ASEAN Cup >>>>
Main photo: John Herdman’s Indonesia side are the first winners of the FIFA ASEAN Cup. Photo credit: FIFA.
Result
Game played on Tuesday October 6, 2026 (NZT)
Indonesia 2 (Dean James 84′, Elkan Baggott 116′)
Thailand 2 (Iklas Sanron 87′, Peeradol Chamrasamee 111′)
*Indonesia won 4-2 on penalties after extra time
This story was first published on October 7, 2026.