December 11, 2025 | 09:12 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The hope for the Indonesia U-22 national team to reach the semifinals of men's football at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand is once again getting brighter following the favorable result of Group B matches for Young Garuda. Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 on Friday, December 11, 2025, changing the dynamics of the competition for the best runner-up position.
Nguyen Hyieu Minh scored two goals for Vietnam, one in the 11th minute and one in the 22nd minute. This victory secured Vietnam's spot in the semifinals as the Group B winner with six points. Malaysia, which previously only needed one point to secure a spot in the top four, now sits in second place with three points.
Malaysia is currently ahead of Timor Leste in the best runner-up mini standings on goal difference, but their position is far from secure. If Indonesia defeats Myanmar, Malaysia is almost certain to be eliminated.
Requirements for Indonesia to Advance
Indonesia is currently in second place in Group C with no points after losing 0-1 to the Philippines. The upcoming match against Myanmar on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 18.00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time), will be decisive.
Garuda must defeat Myanmar by at least three goals. With a three-goal margin victory, Indonesia will collect three points with a goal difference of +2, surpassing Malaysia, which only has a goal difference of +1.
The worst-case scenario for Indonesia is if the Malaysia-Vietnam match ends in a draw. If that happens, both teams will have four points and automatically qualify: one as the group winner and the other as the best runner-up.
In that scenario, the Indonesia-Myanmar match would no longer be significant. However, Vietnam's victory would eliminate that scenario and give Young Garuda a slim chance to breathe again.
In Group A, currently, Timor-Leste is in second place with three points, but they have already played twice and cannot accumulate more points. With three points, Thailand leads the standings and has a strong chance to advance, as it only faces the bottom-ranked Singapore team in its final match.
Since 2011, Indonesia has advanced to the semifinals in every SEA Games edition in which they have participated. Indonesia last failed to advance from the group stage at the 2009 SEA Games in Vientiane, where they finished Group B in last place with one point.
Read: Indonesia Women's Team Secures SEA Games Semifinal Spot After Thailand's Win
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Moves to Prepare 21 Relocation Sites for Sumatra Floods Survivors
25 menit lalu
Approximately 112 thousand houses are damaged due to the Sumatra floods. The recovery process will involve private sectors.
Cyclone Seed 93S: BMKG Warns of Heavy Rain in Bali
1 jam lalu
The wind system of cyclone 93S is projected to intensify in the next 2-3 days. However, its movement is confirmed to be moving away from Indonesia.
Indonesia Targets IDX Demutualization by First Half of 2026
1 jam lalu
The process is expected to transform IDX from a member-owned exchange into a publicly owned corporation.
Today's Top 3 News: Putin Offers Nuclear Energy Support to Indonesia
1 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
ICAO Approves Palm Oil Waste as a Base for Bioavtur
3 jam lalu
ICAO approves Indonesia's proposal to use palm oil waste as a bioavtur mixture.
Putin Says Yes to Visiting Indonesia After Kremlin Talks with Prabowo
9 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo met Russia's Vladimir Putin at Kremlin Palace, Moscow. During the meeting, Prabowo invited Putin to visit Indonesia.
Indonesia's Mental Health Emergency Spurs 7 Key Demands
10 jam lalu
The high rates of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and suicide cases in Indonesia make the need for mental health services increasingly urgent.
Yogyakarta Confirms 200 Cultural Events Despite Budget
10 jam lalu
The Yogyakarta Regional Culture Office ensures the continuation of traditional events despite budget constraints.
Indonesia Issues 2025 Map with New Borders and IKN Update
12 jam lalu
The updates on the Indonesian map in 2025 include changes in border with neighboring countries and the location of the new capital city, also known as the IKN.
Putin Offers Nuclear Energy Support to Indonesia
13 jam lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo meets with Russia's Vladimir Putin who expresses willingness to assist Indonesia in developing nuclear technology.
