Indonesia U-23 Seeks Strong Opponents Ahead of SEA Games 2025

KBRN, Jakarta: Indonesia’s U-23 national football team is gearing up for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand with two FIFA Match Day (FMD) friendly matches scheduled for November. Coach Indra Sjafri aims to face strong opponents to test the team’s tactics, mental resilience, and cohesion, using the games as competitive simulations fully integrated with ongoing training and performance evaluations.

“These are not just friendly matches, they are a crucial part of building a solid team ready to compete in official tournaments,” Indra said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Saturday, October 25, 2025, as quoted by antaranews.com.

He explained that the games will be used to evaluate the team’s overall strength, including tactics, mental resilience, and player cohesion. Indra emphasized that the FMD matches will serve as competitive simulations fully integrated with the team’s training program and performance evaluations.

Following U-23 Indonesia’s recent matches against India, which provided valuable experience, the coaching staff is now carefully selecting their next opponents.

“We will discuss with the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Secretary General, the National Team Committee (BTN), and the Technical Director to choose opponents that best match the team’s preparation needs, because the quality and characteristics of the opponent greatly affect our preparation,” he explained.

Beyond opponent selection, Indra confirmed that all aspects of team preparation are proceeding as planned, including player evaluations and tactical strengthening. He stressed that the main goal of the FMD matches is not simply winning, but achieving peak performance ahead of the regional tournament starting in December.

The Indonesian U-23 team, preparing for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand, began its first training session at Stadion Madya, Jakarta, on Friday, October 3.

The team played its first friendly against India U-23 at Stadion Madya, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Friday, October 10, losing 1-2. In the second friendly against the same team, Garuda Muda earned a 1-1 draw, showing slight improvement in performance.

Through meticulous preparation and careful opponent selection, the Indonesian U-23 squad aims to remain competitive in the biennial regional competition. ***