Indra Sjafri Doesn't Want To Be Just Silver, Firmly Aims For 2025 SEA Games Football Gold

The squad of the finals containing 23 best players will be announced in the next one or two days. (Photo: Ulfa Gusti/Voi.id)

The U-23 Indonesian national team coach, Indra Sjafri, emphasized his big ambition ahead of the 2025 SEA Games event in Thailand. Although the achievement review team only targeted a silver medal for the men's soccer branch, Indra ensured that he and the players remained focused on one goal: to defend the gold medal.

Indonesia is heading to the 2025 SEA Games with the status of defending champion after winning gold at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. This belief further strengthens Indra not to lower Garuda Muda's standard of achievement.

"The conclusion from the review team (for men's soccer sports) is a silver medal. So (the silver target) is nothing wrong, I think. But if you ask me according to the expectations of the community, the best is definitely a gold medal. Asked to the players, definitely the best too," said Indra Sjafri after leading the training at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta on Wednesday, November 26.

Indra emphasized that this high target is not just an empty optimism. He said all preparations went smoothly, from training programs to player selection. The coach from West Sumatra revealed that the composition of the final squad containing the 23 best players will be announced in the next one or two days.

"Alhamdulillah, all plans including the matter of players are going well. There is no worrying issue. In the past two days we will determine 23 players to announce PSSI," he said.

At the 2025 SEA Games, Indonesia is in Group C with Singapore, the Philippines and Myanmar. Garuda Muda will start their journey against Singapore on Friday, December 5. The match against the Philippines is scheduled three days later, before closing with a duel against Myanmar on December 12.

With thorough preparation, a solid squad, and the spirit to maintain the golden tradition, Indra Sjafri ensured that Indonesia did not just come to Thailand as a participant. They came as defending champions who wanted to stay at the top