TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian U-23 national football team's journey to the 2025 Asian Cup ended with a 1-0 loss to South Korea in the final match of Group J qualifiers. Played at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the defeat meant that the team, led by Kadek Arel, failed to secure a spot in the final tournament.
South Korea clinched the victory with a single goal scored by Hwang Doyun in the sixth minute. The young Garuda squad, coached by Gerald Vanenburg, fought relentlessly and created several scoring opportunities, but they were unable to find the back of the net before the final whistle.
This result placed Indonesia in second in the Group J standings with four points, behind South Korea, which secured nine points by winning all three of its matches. The intense competition for the four best runner-up spots meant that Indonesia's four points were not enough to advance.
Match Overview
First Half
Indonesia's U-23 team showed early aggression, threatening the South Korean goal within the first 30 seconds. Rayhan Hannan drove down the right flank and delivered a cross into the box, but his teammates couldn't capitalize on the chance.
For the first three minutes, Hokky Caraka and his squad maintained continuous attacks, but their efforts to score first were unsuccessful.
Five minutes into the game, the South Korean players turned the tide and launched a counterattack. Their pressure paid off with a goal in the sixth minute when Hwang Doyun scored from a pass by Lee Seungwon. His powerful shot from inside the penalty box hit the post before going in. Goalkeeper Cahya Supriadi was unable to stop the ball, unlike a minute earlier when he made a crucial save.
In the 13th minute, Hokky managed to get past the South Korean defense and sent a cross toward Rafael Struick, but a South Korean player intercepted it. Hokky had another chance in the 25th minute, attacking from the right wing. However, with his shooting space closed off by the goalkeeper and defenders, his forced shot went wide of the goal.
As the first half drew to a close, the intensity of the game escalated. South Korean player Joung Jihun even had to foul an Indonesian player while trying to anticipate an attack.
In injury time, the Young Garuda squad had a golden opportunity when Rahmat Arjuna Reski connected with a cross from Arkha Fikri, but his header went wide. The score remained 1-0 in favor of South Korea at halftime.
Second Half
Coach Gerald Vanenburg made three substitutions at the start of the second half, bringing in Jens Raven, Kakang Rudianto, and Robi Darwis to replace Rafael Struick, Mikael Tata, and Zanadin Fariz.
Early in the half, South Korean player Park Hyunbin posed a threat but was denied by keeper Cahya Supriadi. Shortly after, Cho Sanghyeok took a shot that was also saved by the keeper.
Although the South Korean team continued to attack, they failed to extend their lead, thanks to goalkeeper Cahya's repeated heroics. On the other hand, Indonesia had a chance in the 81st minute when Rayhan Hannan took a shot, but it missed the target.
Coach Gerald brought in Toni Firmansyah to replace Dony Tri Pamungkas in the 82nd minute. A minute later, two South Korean players, Choi Woojin and Park Seungho, were substituted by Choi Yehoon and Lee Kyudong.
In injury time, Kadek Arel and his teammates tried to score, increasing the intensity of their attacks. However, their efforts were in vain, and the score remained 1-0 for South Korea until the final whistle.
Despite the loss, the Indonesian U-23 team displayed a fierce performance. Goalkeeper Cahya was particularly outstanding, making at least nine crucial saves and limiting the opponent to only one goal.
Lineups
Indonesia: Cahya Supriadi, Kadek Arel Priyatna, Dony Tri Pamungkas (Toni Firmansyah 82'), Mikael Tata (Kakan Rudianto), Dion Markx (Frenky Missa 60'), Arkhan Fikri, Zanadin Fariz (Robi Darwis), Muhammad Rayhan Hannan, Rahmat Arjuna Reski, Rafael Struick (Jens Raven 45'), Hokky Caraka.
Coach: Gerald Vanenburg
South Korea: Moon Hyunho, Kang Minjun, Choi Woojin (Choi Yehoon 83'), Choi Seok Hyun, Lee Hyunyong, Kim Jisso, Hwang Doyun, Lee Seungwon (Park Hyunbin 22'), Joung Jihun (Kang Seongjin '63), Park Seungho (Lee Kyudong 83'), Jeong Jaesang (Cho Sanghyeok 45').
Coach: Lee Min Sung
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia vs South Korea: Do-or-Die Battle in AFC U-23 Qualifiers
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