U.23 Indonesia 'scary': Not excluding naturalized striker of Dutch origin, waiting to score against U.23 Vietnam

The Indonesian U.23 team has just reduced its roster to 25 players, preparing for the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament which will start on July 15. They have retained Dutch-born naturalized striker Jens Raven.

European style striker of U.23 Indonesia

The list of the Indonesian U.23 team notably includes the naturalized Dutch striker Jens Raven (1.89 m, currently playing for Dordrecht Club, Netherlands), although at one point CNN Indonesia said that this player did not have enough time to integrate with the Indonesian U.23 team, so he could be eliminated from this year's tournament.

U.23 Indonesia (red shirt) lost to U.23 Vietnam in the final match of the most recent U.23 Southeast Asian tournament in 2023.

Photo: Phuc Thang

However, with Jens Raven retained, the Dutch player will be one of two strikers who receive high expectations from the Indonesian football world and fans, alongside veteran striker Hokky Caraka.

Jens Raven is only 20 years old this year, but the fact that this player is playing in Europe, combined with his tall physique, can create a breakthrough for the Indonesian U.23 team at the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, especially his ability to create breakthroughs in aerial combat.

Experienced squad

Also in the list of 25 U.23 Indonesian players just announced, there is the presence of defenders Muhammad Ferarri, Kadek Arel, Dony Pamungkas and midfielder Arkhan Fikri. These are the players who appeared in the match between the Indonesian national team and the Vietnamese team at the AFF Cup 2024.

The young team of the archipelago country owns many faces who have faced the Vietnamese team at the AFF Cup 2024.

Photo: Phuc Thang

Muhammad Ferarri and Kadek Arel scored for the Indonesian national team in the AFF Cup at the end of last year. Therefore, they are highly appreciated for their experience and fighting spirit.

In the most recent tournament in 2023, U.23 Indonesia won the runner-up position, after they lost to the U.23 Vietnam team of coach Hoang Anh Tuan in the final match, after a penalty shootout. This year, with home field advantage, plus a strong force, the young team of the archipelago is determined to improve their performance, determined to win the championship.

In the group stage, U.23 Indonesia is in the same group with U.23 Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei. It is not difficult for the host team to pass the group stage. If they reach the semi-finals, they can face U.23 Vietnam or U.23 Thailand. These will be the matches to look forward to in this year's Southeast Asian tournament.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-indonesia-dang-so-khong-loai-tien-dao-nhap-tich-goc-ha-lan-cho-pha-luoi-u23-viet-nam-185250711152708953.htm