JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Indra Sjafri firmly stated that his current team was not the same as when Gerald Vanenburg was still being handled. Indra made this statement after the team lost 0-3 in the trial against Mali.
The highlight of the defeat against Mali in Sadion Pakansari, last Saturday, November 15, was focused on the low level of team productivity.
This situation is also the cause of the U-23 Indonesian national team's failure in the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup and 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification. Where when appearing in the two agents, the Garuda Muda squad was still under Vanenburg's direction.
However, Indra did not want his foster children to be equated like the U-23 Indonesian national team who appeared in the AFF U-23 Cup or U-23 Asian Cup Qualification which took place in June and September.
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"We are still having trouble scoring goals, apart from against Macau and Brunei. However, this team is different from the previous team that appeared in the AFF and the AFC qualifiers."
"The composition of the players is different, including the presence of several abroad players such as Ivar Jenner and Mauro Zijlstra. The previous qualifying match could not be a measure," said Indra Sjafri in a press conference after the match, quoted on Sunday, November 16.
Now under his care, Indra promised the U-23 Indonesian national team would change for the better in carrying out the mission to defend the gold medal at the SEA Games later this year.
"There are many things that need to be improved towards the SEA Games later. The quality of the opponents in the SEA Games is also not the same as tonight's opponents, so it cannot be directly compared. In terms of productivity, we have several opportunities, although not many. That must also be improved," said the coach.
Before appearing at the 2025 SEA Games in December, the U-23 Indonesian national team will undergo another trial match against Mali on November 18, 2025.
Photo: Antara
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