Head coach Gerald Vanenburg once again reiterated the goal of U23 Indonesia at U23 Southeast Asia 2025 to win the championship.

Therefore, U23 Indonesia does not care about the opponent U23 Thailand in the semi-finals of the 2nd Southeast Asian youth football tournament.

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U23 Indonesia is rated higher with "foreign player" Jens Raven. Photo: Antara

Mr. Vanenburg wants the players to have the best mental concentration, comply with tactical requirements to take advantage of the cheers from the home crowd and win a ticket to the final.

The good news for U23 Indonesia is the recovery of conductor Arkhan Fikri and midfielder Toni Firmansyah .

Both are important factors for Mr. Vanenburg to deploy tactics.

With Arkhan Fikri and midfielder Toni Firmansyah , “Garuda Muda” confidently controlled the midfield area against U23 Thailand.

Besides, one thing that the Dutch strategist requires is the concentration of the strikers.

In the final match of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 group stage, U23 Indonesia missed a series of good opportunities and had to share points with U23 Malaysia.

Coach Vanenburg clearly showed his dissatisfaction with the finishing of the young Indonesian players. This issue was brought up on the training ground later, to improve the situation in the match against U23 Thailand.

For his part, coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul was also not satisfied with what U23 Thailand showed in the final match of the group stage, being held to a 0-0 draw by U23 Myanmar.

Despite winning the ticket to the U23 Southeast Asian semi-finals and maintaining a clean sheet record, Mr. Thawatchai kept talking about having to improve the playing style.

Thai press and many experts heavily criticized the "War Elephants" for their lack of innovation in playing style, especially in the final attack situations.

In hopes of improving their attack, U23 Thailand is expecting a lot from captain Seksan Ratree - who has a lot of international experience and participated in the 2024 ASEAN Cup.

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U23 Thailand aims to collect debt. Photo: Changsuek

Seksan mainly plays the role of initiating attacks. Meanwhile, Yotsakorn Burapha is expected to create a breakthrough in the spearhead role.

It was Burapha and Thanawut – two of the team's youngest players – who made the difference in the opening 4-0 win over Timor-Leste.

Burapha scored the first goal for Thailand U23 in the tournament, while Thanawut doubled the lead. They will be a big problem for Indonesia U23's defense.

U23 Thailand lost in both of their most recent matches against U23 Indonesia, from the Southeast Asian tournament to the SEA Games.

The “War Elephants” want to end this nightmare, but it will be difficult in a match that promises to be tense from the moment the ball rolls at the “fire bowl” Gelora Bung Karno . A match that is likely to be full of violence.

Expected lineup:

U23 Indonesia (4-3-3): Ardiansyah; Alfharezzi Buffon, Muhammad Ferarri, Kadek Arel, Pamungkas; Robi Darwis, Arkhan Fikri , Toni Firmansyah ; Rahmat Arjuna, Jens Raven, Rayhan Hannan

U23 Thailand (4-2-3-1): Sorawat Phosaman; Saphon Noiwong, Pichitchai Sienkrthok, Chanapach Buaphan, Kittiphat Kullapha; Sittha Boonlha, Seksan Ratree; Phanthamit Praphanth, Chinnawat Prachuabmon, Thanawut Phochai; Yotsakorn Burapha

Prediction: U23 Indonesia wins 2-1 .

Watch the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Football Championship live and in full on FPT Play, visit http://fptplay.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/nhan-dinh-bong-da-u23-indonesia-vs-u23-thai-lan-ban-ket-u23-dong-nam-a-2425544.html