Regarding The Regulation Of U-23 Players In The Super League, Gerald Vanenburg Calls A Joke

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Gerald Vanenburg, responded to the new regulation in the 2025/2026 Super League regarding U-23 players. The coach said it actually sounded like a joke.

Previously, PT Liga Indonesia Baru (LIB) as the operator of the competition had officially implemented new rules regarding U-23 players. LIB stated that each club must play at least one U-23 player for 45 minutes in each match.

According to Vanenburg, the rules are like a joke. According to him, young players deserve the opportunity to play more to hone their quality and flight hours.

"I think regulation is like a joke. It's really a joke. I think in Indonesia, young players have to get a place in the first team."

"But, to be honest, it was not my decision. I think we need a good young player. By the age of 20, 23 years, you are old enough to play in the first team. That's my opinion, but I'm not the one making the decision," Vanenburg said after leading the training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

Regarding regulations ahead of the new season, PT LIB also issued additional rules for foreign players. Each club may register 11 foreign players and eight of them are allowed to play in one match or enter the line-up list.

Last season, each club was only allowed to have eight foreign players. However, only six players can be fielded in every game.

Apart from that, currently Vanenburg chose to focus on the team. Garuda Muda troops are currently on the training camp agenda in Jakarta ahead of the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup which starts on July 15-19 2025.

Vanenburg narrowed 25 names who are still members of the TC in Jakarta. The other three players have been eliminated in the rigorous selection process.

In addition to appearing in the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup, the U-23 Indonesian national team is also prepared to appear in the U-2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers and defend the 2025 SEA Games gold medal.