Coach Indra Sjafri speaks out after the shocking elimination of the Indonesian U22 team.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Coach Indra Sjafri has apologized and taken responsibility after the Indonesian U22 team had to leave the 2025 SEA Games early due to losing to the Malaysian U22 team in terms of goals scored.

Despite defeating Myanmar, the Indonesian U22 team was still cruelly eliminated from the SEA Games 33.

The Indonesian U22 team suffered a major disappointment at the 33rd SEA Games, being eliminated in the group stage despite entering the tournament as the defending champions. This harsh reality meant that "Garuda Muda" had an early end to their journey to defend their gold medal.

Striker Javens burst into tears when the Indonesian U22 team was eliminated after the group stage of the SEA Games 33 (Photo: Bola).

Indonesia's 3-1 victory over Myanmar U22 in the final match of Group C, held at the 700th Anniversary Stadium in Chiang Mai on the evening of December 12th, was still not enough to secure a place in the semi-finals. This was because Coach Indra Sjafri's team lost to Malaysia U22 in terms of goals scored in the race for the best runner-up position.

Both teams had the same goal difference (+1), but U22 Malaysia scored 4 goals, one more than U22 Indonesia. In the end, U22 Indonesia only earned 3 points after two matches in Group C, including a 0-1 defeat against U22 Philippines in their opening match on December 8th.

Coach Indra Sjafri directs his players during the match against U22 Myanmar (Photo: Bola).

Following his team's elimination, coach Indra Sjafri apologized to the fans and took full responsibility for the disappointing result. "First of all, the Indonesian U22 team failed to advance from the group stage. Technically, I am primarily responsible," the 61-year-old coach stated after the match.

Indra Sjafri was appointed to lead the Indonesian U22 team in September, after leaving his position as head coach of the U20 team earlier this year. “I apologize to all the Indonesian people. Once again, professionally, this is my responsibility,” he emphasized. Two years ago in Cambodia, Coach Indra Sjafri led the Indonesian U22 team to glory. Unfortunately, at this tournament, his team has been a major disappointment.

Failure at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand is considered a major shock for Indonesian football, bringing back painful memories of the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, a tournament where Garuda Muda failed to advance beyond the group stage and is considered one of the most difficult periods in the history of Indonesian youth football.

Watch SEA Games 33, stand alongside the Vietnamese Sports Delegation, in its entirety onFPT Play, at: http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/hlv-indra-sjafri-len-tieng-after-the-shock-of-the-elimination-of-the-indonesia-u22-team-20251213081806599.htm