Ahead Of The 2025 SEA Games, Indra Sjafri Wants Tough Opponents To Test The U-23 National Team

Toni Firmansyah (left) fighting for the ball with Indian national team footballer U-23 Mohanan Vibin in a trial match at the Madya Stadium, GBK Complex, Jakarta, Monday (13/10/2025). (Doc. ANTARA PHOTO)

JAKARTA - As preparation for the 2025 Thailand SEA Games, Indonesia's U-23 football national team (timnas) coach Indra Sjafri wants a strong opponent in two FIFA Match Day (FMD) matches in November.

He explained that the match would be used to measure the team's overall strength, both in terms of tactics, mentality, and player cohesiveness.

"This is not just a trial match, but an important part of the solid team formation process and ready to compete in the real event," said Indra, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, October 25.

He further explained that the international trial match was not just a friendly match, but a strategic part of the continuous training prepared by the coaching staff.

This is because the FMD match will be designed into a competitive simulation that is integrated with the player's performance training and evaluation program.

After having faced India which was considered to provide valuable experience, the coaching team is currently selecting the next potential opponent carefully.

"We will discuss with the Secretary General of PSSI, the National Team Agency (BTN), and the Technical Director to determine the opponent who best suits the needs of the team, because the quality and character of the opponent greatly determines the effectiveness of our preparation," he said.

In addition to the opponent's election, Indra also ensured that all aspects of team preparation went according to plan, including evaluating player conditions and strengthening game patterns.

He stressed that the main goal of the FMD match was not just victory, but the achievement of the best performance ahead of tournaments throughout Southeast Asia which began in December.

Through thorough preparation and proper opposition elections, the Garuda Muda squad is expected to be able to compete in the biennial international event.

The Indonesian U-23 football national team, which was prepared to take part in the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand in December, held its inaugural training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, Friday (3/10).

The national team conducted their first trial against India's U-23 national team at the Madya Stadium, Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, on Friday (10/10). Garuda Muda lost 1-2 in that match.

Then, in the second test match against the same national team, Indra Sjafri's squad picked up a slightly better match, namely with a score of 1-1.