Hostility and stigma at the SEA Games

When the referee blows the whistle to start the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 semi-final match between U23 Indonesia and U23 Thailand, at 8:00 p.m. on July 25 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, the cheers from the stands will not only be cheers for youth football.

It is also a reminder of the years-long sporting rivalry between Indonesian football and Thailand – tense, fiery, and even violent.

Main Stand - U23 Indonesia Thailand.jpeg
Ugly image between the U23 Thailand and U23 Indonesia teams at SEA Games 2023. Photo: Main Stand

This is no ordinary match. It is the next in a series of emotional confrontations between two footballing traditions in Southeast Asia.

From the national team to the youth teams, every time Indonesia and Thailand meet, it is like adding fuel to the fire of hostility that has never been extinguished.

Fans certainly have not forgotten the 2023 SEA Games final in Phnom Penh (Cambodia).

At that time, U23 Indonesia defeated U23 Thailand with a score of 5-2 after 120 tense minutes to win the SEA Games gold medal for the first time.

But it wasn't the result that made this match historic – it was the brawl that broke out between players and coaching staff from both sides.

It all started when Thailand scored an equalizer to make it 2-2 in stoppage time, leading to a series of provocative acts.

Players from both teams rushed at each other, and the coaches did not stand aside. Referee Qasim Al-Hatmi (Oman) showed a red card, but it could not calm the rage.

Although Indonesia eventually won its first gold medal in 32 years, the images of violence left an indelible mark in the memories of fans across the region.

Antara - U23 Indonesia.jpg
U23 Indonesia has home field advantage. Photo: Antara

Confrontation across levels

The rivalry between the two teams is not new. At the U19 level, Indonesia once "held a grudge" against Thailand.

The most recent meeting was at the 2024 Southeast Asian U19 tournament, where the “Young Garuda” lost 0-1. At the U16 level, Indonesia lost 0-2 to Thailand in 2019.

Even at the national team level, matches between the two teams are always heated. From controversial goals, rough tackles, to offensive statements after the match.

All of this shows that this is not only a professional confrontation but also a battle of honor and many other things.

At the 2025 Southeast Asian U23, U23 Indonesia entered the semi-finals as the host team and top candidate for the championship.

Coach Captain's team showed their superior strength in the group stage: destroying Brunei 8-0, defeating the Philippines 1-0 and drawing Malaysia 0-0 in a proactive game.

Meanwhile, U23 Thailand started impressively with a 4-0 victory over Timor Leste, but were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Myanmar, revealing some weaknesses in their defense and receiving much criticism from the domestic press.

Changsuek - U23 Thailand.jpg
U23 Thailand was criticized after the draw with U23 Myanmar. Photo: Changsuek

However, Thai football has never been easy to underestimate thanks to its experienced players.

The upcoming semi-final is an opportunity for Indonesia to reassert their position against their arch-rivals. They won the last two encounters at the U23 level.

On the contrary, this is also an opportunity for Thailand to take revenge after the painful defeat in 2023. Moreover, this is a test of maturity - both in terms of tactics and sportsmanship.

Players from both teams will step onto the pitch carrying the expectations of millions of fans, but it is important to rise above the negative emotions that have caused both sides to lose their image.

Football cannot be a place for fists and meaningless hatred. At Gelora Bung Karno, the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 semi-final promises to be a scenario not for the faint-hearted.

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

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/u23-indonesia-dau-u23-thai-lan-ke-thu-doi-mat-u23-dong-nam-a-2425348.html