Rafael Struick Believes The U-23 Indonesian National Team Will Win Gold At The 2025 SEA Games

JAKARTA - Rafael Struick expressed full confidence for the U-23 Indonesian national team which will appear at the 2025 SEA Games. He is optimistic that the Garuda Muda squad can bring home a gold medal from Thailand.

Struick expressed this optimism after he helped the team undergo two test matches against Mali U-23. From that match, Garuda Muda lost 0-3 and drew 2-2.

"We are 100 percent committed to winning gold," Struick said in an interview after the match against Mali at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor Regency, Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

In the last trial match, Mali first opened the scoring through Sekou Kone in the 11th minute. Then Garuda Muda can equalize in the final minute of the first half of Mauro Zijlstra.

Indonesia took the lead after Rafael Struick scored in the 52nd minute. However, Kone's second goal in the 72nd minute made the game finish equally strong 2-2.

Struick admitted that the result of the second match was quite satisfying because the Red-White Team had been able to take the lead after being left behind.

Apart from the results of last night's match, Struick is increasingly optimistic because the U-23 Indonesian national team will still have additional players such as Marselino Ferdinand.

"We have a very good quality team. I think there will still be more players coming. We have a very good opportunity," he said.