There Is No Inferior For Indonesia U-23 When Facing Malaysia U-23

The U-23 Indonesian national team is optimistic that they can beat Malaysia U-23 (VOI/Karisa Aurelia Tukan).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Gerald Vanenburg, expressed high optimism that his team could win against Malaysia U-23. The two teams will meet in the final match of the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup group phase.

Vanenburg showed optimism for seeing the progress of Arkhan Fikri and colleagues in this tournament. Before returning to fight at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Jakarta, on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 20.00 WIB, the U-23 Indonesian national team had already bagged two wins.

In the inaugural match against Brunei Darussalam U-23, Garuda Nusantara won a landslide victory with a score of 8-0. Then in the second match against the Philippines U-23, Vanenburg's team won again with a score of 1-0.

After pocketing this slick capital, Malaysia became the next opponent to be faced by the U-23 Indonesian national team. The meeting between the two teams will attract attention, given the rivalry between the two countries which is very fierce.

With the slick results in the previous matches, Garuda Muda clearly did not inferior in front of the Young Malayan Tigers. However, Vanenburg also did not want to be happy because he also saw Malaysia as a good team.

"I think all the games are important, so are they against Malaysia. I think they are a good team, a very good team."

"I think they have a lot of good players. So, we have to try to win."

"I've always been confident that we're fine. We can win the game and I think the opponent also thinks the same. If you think you lose, you will lose," said Gerald Vanenburg in a team training session in Jakarta quoted Monday, July 21, 2025.

The former Ajax and PSV players also emphasized that optimism cannot just come. For him, pre-match preparations are the main and crucial factors that can be a supporting factor.

"I think we are preparing our team well. We know Malaysia is a very strong team, but we will fight and try to win," said Vanenburg.

With high optimism, Vanenburg emphasized a great determination to bring the U-23 Indonesian national team to win over Malaysia. Although on the other hand, the draw against the Malayan Tigers was also enough to bring the team to the semifinals.

"I want to win all matches, including against Malaysia. I don't know who the next opponent is, I also want to win. I don't know if that will happen, but I want to fight for that," said the coach.