Indonesia, 22 July, 2025 – U23 Indonesia head coach Gerald Vanenburg has urged caution as his side prepare for the knockout stages of the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship, warning that Vietnam and Thailand will pose serious challenges if they meet in the semifinals or final.
After securing a 0-0 draw with U23 Malaysia in their final group-stage match, U23 Indonesia became the first team to qualify for the semifinals. Depending on the outcomes of the remaining fixtures, Indonesia could face U23 Thailand in the semifinals and potentially U23 Vietnam in the final—two of the strongest contenders for the title.
Speaking after his team’s qualification, coach Vanenburg acknowledged the strength of the two regional powerhouses: “I have reviewed the footage and I know they are very good teams, well organized. We will definitely be watching their next match and analyzing them closely,” he stated.
“They are very, very strong teams with high levels of organization. Matches against them will be very difficult, and we must find the right approach. We understand clearly that both U23 Vietnam and U23 Thailand are serious opponents,” Vanenburg added.
Despite an impressive 8-0 thrashing of U23 Brunei in their tournament opener, Indonesia’s attacking form dipped in the following two games, scoring only one goal across their encounters with the Philippines and Malaysia. The Dutch tactician admitted his forwards need to improve their efficiency: “Our attacking line needs to be more effective. One goal in two games is not enough, especially as the competition becomes more intense.”
With the group stage nearing its conclusion, the likely scenario sees Indonesia face Thailand in the semifinals if the War Elephants top their group. Meanwhile, Vietnam are expected to finish first in Group B should they avoid defeat against Cambodia. That would set up a potential showdown between Vietnam and the winner of the semifinal featuring Indonesia and Thailand.
Coach Vanenburg, who has emphasized tactical discipline and structural organization throughout the tournament, reiterated the need for focus heading into the knockout rounds: “The real challenge starts now. From this point, every mistake could mean elimination. We have to be sharp in all aspects of the game.”
U23 Indonesia are targeting their first ASEAN U23 Championship title, and expectations are high, especially with the tournament being hosted on home soil. However, Vanenburg’s measured comments highlight his understanding of the intense competition and the quality of their potential opponents.
With powerhouses Vietnam and Thailand both eyeing the crown, the battle for supremacy in Southeast Asia is heating up—and Indonesia know they must be at their best to go all the way.
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