Losing To South Korea 0-1, The U-23 Indonesian National Team Failed To Go To The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup

The U-23 Indonesian national team failed to get a ticket to the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup finals (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team played the last match of Group J of the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification against South Korea U-23 at the Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, night WIB.

Garuda Muda immediately under pressure at the start of the match. The aggressiveness of the South Korean wing is very troublesome for the defender Indonesia U-23.

Sure enough, attacks from the right sector resulted in a quick goal. South Korea took a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute through Hwang Do-yung's hard kick from a tight angle.

This advantage made South Korea not relax pressure. Even so, Indonesia U-23 still appears calm to seize possession and build attacks.

However, the strong wall of South Korea's defense was difficult to penetrate. As a result, Indonesia U-23 tried to shoot from outside the penalty box to find an equalizer.

In the 20th minute, Dion Markx fired a long-range speculation shot, but had not yet met the target.

Five minutes later, Hokky Caraka got a golden opportunity to equalize. He managed to enter the penalty box, but fired late so his shot just sideways.

Hokky got a chance again in the 29th minute, but his header hasn't endangered the opponent's goal yet.

Passing half an hour of the match, Indonesia U23 began to take advantage of counter attacks. However, again South Korea appeared solid to reduce pressure. The 1-0 score lasted until the break.

Entering the second half, Gerald Vanenburg made a number of changes by playing Jens Raven, Kakang Rudianto, and Robi Darwis.

The change brought significant changes in Indonesia's U-23 game. Young Garuda began to be more dominant in possession after South Korea's chance in the 51st minute that Cahya Supriadi could save.

Cahya Supriadi also made about eight brilliant saves to keep the Indonesia U-23 goal from conceding again.

Unfortunately, when the Indonesia U-23 goal was safe, the attack after attack built by Gerald Vanenburg troops was difficult to penetrate South Korea's defense.

Until the match was over, the goal that Garuda Muda had been waiting for did not arrive. Indonesia U-23 lost 0-1 to South Korea.

This result made Indonesia U-23 fail to qualify for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup. They ended their Group J qualification in second place with four points.

While in the best runner-up standings, Garuda Muda is in seventh position, aka outside the top four who get tickets to the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup finals.

The Composition Of Indonesian U-23 Players Vs South Korea U-23

Indonesia U-23: Cahya Supriadi; Dony Tri Pamungkas, Dion Markx, Kadek Arel, Mikael Tata; Zanadin Fariz, Arkhan Fikri, Muhammad Rayhan Hannan, Rahmat Arjuna, Hokky Caraka, Rafael Struick

Coach: Gerald Vanenburg

South Korea U-23: Moon Hyun Ho (GK); Kang Minjun, Choi Woojin, Choi Seok Hyun, Lee Hyunyong; Hwang Do Yun, Lee Seungwon, Joung Jihun, Kim Jisoo; Park Seungho, Jeong Jaesang

Coach: Lee Min Sung