Indonesia U-23 Has Learned From Mistakes, Ready To Beat South Korea

Gerald Vanenburg believes Indonesia U-23 can get maximum points against South Korea (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team will meet South Korea U-23 in the last match of Group J of the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification at Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, East Java, on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, evening WIB.

Garuda Muda's journey had struggled. They failed to win in the first match against Laos U-23 with a score of 0-0.

The result made Indonesia's U-23 game critical. Despite pressing for most of the match, they failed to break into Laos' goal.

Better performances were then shown in the second match against Macau U-23. Young Garuda won 5-0.

However, now Indonesia U-23's steps to get tickets to the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia are very difficult.

The only way is to beat South Korea. You see, if you only play a draw maximally, Indonesia U-23's steps will be stopped.

Indonesia U-23 coach, Gerald Vanenburg, is very confident that his troops can get maximum points against Taegeuk Warriors.

This belief arose because Garuda Muda, according to the coach, had learned from mistakes and could increase again when they met South Korea.

"We played much better (in the match against Macau) than the first match (against Laos). Of course we have to be grateful for the victory and celebrate together."

"However, next we will face South Korea. With the existing players, I believe we have a good squad."

"If we learn from mistakes, the players will be even stronger and improve their performance in the next game," Vanenburg said.

The Dutch coach also rotated the players. The squad that was deployed against Laos and Macau was different.

This is done so that the players have the same physical condition when they face South Korea

"Our players at the club don't always get the same playing minutes. It's difficult for them to appear in full three games for 90 minutes."

"Therefore, we must maximize the existing conditions and keep all players ready in every match," he said.

Indonesia is now collecting four points from two matches and is in second place. Meanwhile, South Korea stands at the top with six points.