{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1778352,
        "msgid": "john-herdman-implements-acceleration-strategy-kevin-diks-mentors-mathew-baker-1780358748",
        "date": "2026-06-02 04:45:00",
        "title": "John Herdman Implements Acceleration Strategy, Kevin Diks Mentors Mathew Baker",
        "author": "Basuki Eka Purnama",
        "source": "MEDIA_INDONESIA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has introduced an acceleration strategy to fast-track young talent, with 17-year-old Mathew Baker receiving mentorship from experienced defender Kevin Diks. The move aims to prepare Baker for senior-level competition ahead of upcoming FIFA Match Day fixtures against Oman and Mozambique. Herdman cited his success with Canada's national team, where he developed stars like Jonathan David, as a blueprint for nurturing future Indonesian talent.",
        "content": "<p>Our economic fundamentals are robust across all fronts, with\ngovernment spending, public expenditure, controlled inflation, and\nstrong investment. Indonesia national team coach John Herdman has\noutlined a strategic approach to developing young talent for the Garuda\nsquad. The 17-year-old promising player Mathew Baker is receiving\nspecialised mentoring from experienced defender Kevin Diks during the\nsenior national team\u2019s training camp. The decision comes ahead of two\ncrucial FIFA Match Day fixtures against Oman on Friday (5 June) and\nMozambique on Tuesday (9 June) at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in\nJakarta. Baker\u2019s inclusion in the senior squad for the first time is\npart of the English coach\u2019s long-term vision. Herdman believes Kevin\nDiks is the ideal mentor for Baker, given their shared defensive roles\nand Diks\u2019 experience in Germany\u2019s top-tier Bundesliga, which adds\nsignificant value. \u201cKevin Diks is mentoring him this week so he can\nlearn from a Bundesliga player with international experience,\u201d Herdman\nsaid during an interview at the Gelora Bung Karno Secondary Stadium on\nMonday (2 June). This season with Borussia M\u00f6nchengladbach, Diks has\ndelivered impressive performances, making 30 appearances and scoring\nfive goals. His contributions helped the German club finish 12th in the\nleague with 38 points. Baker\u2019s call-up is not without reason. Herdman\nhas implemented what he calls an \u2018acceleration strategy\u2019, aiming to\nfast-track the maturity of young players by exposing them to\nsenior-level competition earlier. Herdman referenced his success with\nCanada, where he gave Jonathan David and Liam Millar their debuts at 18.\nDavid is now a star at Juventus in Italy after a successful stint with\nLille in France. \u201cFor Mathew, this will be an unforgettable experience.\nWhen he sees the intensity of training here, he can carry those\nstandards back to the youth setup and establish new benchmarks there,\u201d\nHerdman added. While praising Baker\u2019s attitude and adaptation to senior\nlevel, Herdman cautioned that the young player\u2019s journey is still long.\nHis current focus is ensuring Baker absorbs the high standards currently\nin place with the national team. It is hoped that through Kevin Diks\u2019\nmentorship and exposure to international atmosphere at SUGBK, Mathew\nBaker will become a future defensive pillar for Indonesia, following in\nthe footsteps of players previously nurtured by Herdman. (Ant\/Z-1)<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/john-herdman-implements-acceleration-strategy-kevin-diks-mentors-mathew-baker-1780358748",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}