TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Chairperson, Erick Thohir, believes the Indonesia U-23 National Team must be bold enough to play resolutely when they face Vietnam in the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup final at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (SUGBK), Jakarta, on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. His remarks came after Indonesia's dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout victory over Thailand in the semifinal on Friday, July 25, 2025.
This marks the Garuda Muda squad's third appearance in the final, following their runs in 2019 and 2023. "We are the hosts here. Don't let them trample on our home base. So, if they play hard over there, we'll give it to them 'hard' here. This doesn't mean injuring anyone. We shouldn't injure fellow players. But what I mean is we have to be brave enough to 'play hard' too," Erick said, as quoted by Antara.
In 2019, under the guidance of Coach Indra Sjafri, Indonesia defeated Thailand in Cambodia to win their first-ever AFF Cup title.
Four years later, in 2023, Indonesia again reached the final, but the team, then coached by Shin Tae-yong, failed to secure the championship after losing to Vietnam 5-6 in a penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Ernando Ari was the sole Indonesian penalty taker to miss in that match.
However, Erick is confident that the situation is different now. "In the AFF tournament in Thailand, it was quite tough. If you remember, it was quite tough, so today, if they play hard, we'll play hard back," the 55-year-old stated.
Erick Thohir Outlines Three Hopes for U-23 Squad
Erick Thohir expressed three key hopes for the Indonesia U-23 National Team ahead of the final match.
First, he emphasized the importance of proper recovery for Coach Gerald Vanenburg's team after their exhausting penalty shootout against Thailand.
"I hope the team does three things now with Coach Gerald. Number one is definitely recovery, because I think they are all exhausted. Recovery, so there are no additional injuries because we've already lost two key players," he explained.
In the semifinal, Indonesia played a dramatic match, falling behind to a goal from Yotsakon Burapha in the 60th minute, before Jens Raven's header leveled the score in the 84th minute.
The goalless extra time led to the penalty shootout, where the Young Garuda secured a 7-6 victory after Thailand's final penalty taker, Burapha, failed to beat Muhammad Ardiansyah. This miss was capitalized on by Indonesia, with Alfharezzi Buffon taking the subsequent kick, successfully converting against Thai goalkeeper Sorawat Phosaman.
Second, Erick hopes the Indonesia U-23 National Team will conduct a thorough team evaluation and learn from their 2023 final defeat. "I am sure the Vietnam team is also preparing its own strategy without changing our game pattern," the State-Owned Enterprises Minister remarked.
Third, he expressed his wish for Indonesia's two strikers, Jens Raven and Hokky Caraka, to play with increased confidence in the upcoming match. "I hope that with the goals Jens and Hokky scored today, they can be more confident, and the kids will try to play more calmly," he said.
Furthermore, Erick hopes Indonesia can lift the trophy, previously known as the AFF U-23 Championship, for the second time since their 2019 victory under Indra Sjafri. "This means we're back-to-back in the final. Back then, in 2023, I witnessed it myself in Thailand. The only difference now is that we are the hosts, so if possible, of course, we will be champions," he concluded.
Editor's Choice: Vietnam Advances to AFF U-23 Cup Finals After 2-1 Victory Against Philippines
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Cambodia Urges Immediate Ceasefire with Thailand as Border Conflict Escalates
1 jam lalu
Cambodia has requested an immediate ceasefire without conditions with Thailand amid border conflicts.
Thailand Coach Acknowledges Indonesia's Strength in AFF U-23 Cup Semifinal
2 jam lalu
Thailand was eliminated in the semifinals after losing to Indonesia in a penalty shootout at the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup.
Indonesia Secures Spot in 2025 AFF U-23 Final After Beating Thailand on Penalties
12 jam lalu
The Indonesian U-23 national team will face Vietnam in the final round of the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup.
Indonesian Students Give Graduation Speeches at KFU, Russia
13 jam lalu
An Indonesian student, Ria Maha Putri, represented international students by delivering a speech at the master's degree graduation at Kazan Federal University, Russia.
Government Assures Safety of Indonesian Citizens in Thailand and Cambodia
13 jam lalu
Deputy Minister for Political and Security Coordination Lodewijk Freidrich Paulus said The Thailand-Cambodia conflict occurs in the forest areas.
Cambodia Briefs Foreign Diplomats on Border Tensions with Thailand
14 jam lalu
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held an emergency meeting to discuss the conflict with Thailand
Indonesia's 10 Provinces with the Highest Poverty Rates
14 jam lalu
List of the 10 provinces in Indonesia with the highest percentage and number of poor people in March 2025.
Vietnam Advances to AFF U-23 Cup Finals After 2-1 Victory Against Philippines
14 jam lalu
Vietnam defeated the Philippines with a score of 2-1 in the semifinal match of the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup.
Today's Top 3 News: 8 Must-Visit Tourist Attractions in Guangzhou, from Nature to History
14 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Indonesia Urged to Exercise Shuttle Diplomacy to Ease Thailand-Cambodia Fighting
15 jam lalu
An international relations observer at Paramadina University believes Indonesia needs to immediately execute shuttle diplomacy to ease the escalating armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
