Malaysian newspaper unexpectedly praises Indonesia, affirms no sabotage against U.23 team

According to CNN Indonesia, Malaysian press confirmed that there was no sabotage against the country's U.23 team, after they arrived in Jakarta and had their first training session to prepare for the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament starting on July 15.

Why is Malaysia worried that Indonesia will sabotage the U.23 team?

Stemming from previous hostility, the Malaysian press expressed concern when the country's U.23 team arrived in Jakarta on July 13 to prepare for the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament starting on July 15. They said that coach Nafuzi Zain and his team would be hindered from practicing and even sabotaged at the training ground by the opponent, aiming to create favorable conditions for the host team Indonesia. In the group stage, the U.23 teams of Malaysia and Indonesia are in Group A with the Philippines and Brunei, and will be the two teams competing for the top spot in the group to enter the semi-finals.

Coach Kim Sang-sik and the U.23 Vietnam team promise to face challenges from opponents Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in their journey to defend the championship title.

Photo: Ngoc Linh

"I can say that the host country, Indonesia, and the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) have created the best conditions for accommodation and training for the teams, including the U.23 Malaysia team. The quality of the training ground is very good, there is no vandalism that we have heard of or concerns about what happened before when the Malaysian team came here to compete. This time, Indonesia has brought great satisfaction to the Malaysian team," said Astro Arena journalist Zulhelmi Zainal Azam, who accompanied the U.23 Malaysia team to the tournament.

Also according to Zulhelmi Zainal Azam: "The U.23 Malaysia team, after arriving in Jakarta on July 13, was warmly welcomed and had a training session that afternoon at the secondary field near the main Gelora Bung Karno stadium. This training field has extremely good grass quality. Not only the U.23 Malaysia team, but perhaps other teams coming here to train will also be satisfied."

The information and images from Astro Arena journalist Zulhelmi Zainal Azam have been verified, thereby also dispelling all previous concerns from the Malaysian press that the home team Indonesia would find every way to make things difficult for their opponents.

To prepare for the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament, host country Indonesia has chosen two main stadiums, Gelora Bung Karno and Patriot Stadium in Bekasi, to host the tournament.

The U.23 Malaysia team and host Indonesia will compete in Group A with all matches taking place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The U.23 Vietnam team in Group B will play their opening match against Laos at 5:00 p.m. on July 19 at Patriot Stadium, and their final group stage match against the U.23 Cambodia team at 8:00 p.m. on July 22 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.

Meanwhile, the U.23 Thailand team in Group C will play both group stage matches against Timor Leste (July 19) and Myanmar (July 22) both at Patriot Stadium. In the semi-finals and finals, all matches will take place at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, which has a capacity of over 77,000 spectators.

In the opening match on July 15, the U.23 Malaysia team will play their first match against the Philippines at 5:00 p.m., followed by the host team Indonesia against Brunei at 8:00 p.m. The U.23 Vietnam team will depart for the tournament on July 14, and will have their opening match in Group B on July 19 (against U.23 Laos), after which the U.23 Laos team will play their first match against U.23 Cambodia in the same group at 5:00 p.m. on July 16.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-malaysia-bat-ngo-ca-ngoi-indonesia-khang-dinh-khong-co-hanh-vi-pha-hoai-doi-u23-185250714115056791.htm