Bangladesh coach not surprised by Indonesia's big win: 'It is very reasonable'

On the evening of October 1, 2026, in an ASEAN Cup group-stage match, Mitchell Baker scored his fifth goal against Bangladesh. It was a night of complete dominance for Indonesia, who won 9-2. Yet the most memorable statement came from the losing side. Bangladesh coach Thomas Dooley said he was not shocked, adding that Indonesia's big win was 'very reasonable' given the structural gap between the two football nations. Indonesia's goals came from Mitchell Baker with five, plus Ridho, Justin Hubner, Vickery and Kevin Diks. Bangladesh's two goals were scored by Sahariar Emon and Farhaan Ali Wahid. The result confirmed Indonesia's place in the final against Thailand. Bangladesh finished the tournament with zero points and a heavy defeat that exposed the difference in development levels. Dooley did not blame individual mistakes. He pointed to FIFA rankings, the quality of domestic leagues and the environment where players compete. Most Indonesian regulars play in the Bundesliga, the Netherlands and Italy. Bangladesh has no comparable export pathway. Therefore, according to the coach, seeing Indonesia dominate should not come as a surprise. The explanation has professional merit. Decision-making speed often decides matches between teams of different levels. Players used to faster European football read situations earlier, move into space quicker and force opponents into constant mistakes. Dooley described it as a continuous wave that never stops. Still, observers should remain cautious. A 9-2 scoreline is a rare outlier at national-team level. It reflects a quality gap, but it may also reflect the collapse of a defence after falling behind. The original report provides no expected-goals data, no pressing stats and no possession figures. This result alone cannot define Indonesia's true level. There is another blind spot. Indonesia conceded two goals despite winning 9-2. Against Thailand, the defence will face a much harder test. Mitchell Baker has become the focal point of the attack, but whether Indonesia can spread the threat when opponents neutralise him remains unknown. For Bangladesh, Dooley's 'learning process' narrative is dangerous if it becomes an excuse. The federation needs measurable goals, from domestic league investment to a clear pathway for exporting players. Without that, the gap will only widen. One detail requires verification: the name FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 used in the original source may not match the official AFF competition branding. The final against Thailand will reveal whether Indonesia's win was a signal or a mirage.