Ahead Of The Second Trial, Kadek Arel Admits The U-23 Indonesian National Team Still Has Many Lacks

Kadek Arel admits that the U-23 Indonesian national team still needs improvement (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The U-23 Indonesian national team will return to play the second test match against Mali U-23 in preparation ahead of the 2025 SEA Games. However, reflecting on the previous match, Kadek Arel Priyatna said his team still had many shortcomings.

"Yes, yesterday (the first trial) must have been a lot of flaws because we haven't managed to win yet, starting from communication, starting from distance between players, maybe it's still a bit too far."

"Of course finishing will also be a problem for us. In training this afternoon we will fix it," said Kadek Arel during a training session at the Madya Stadium, Jakarta, on Monday, November 17, 2025.

Ahead of the second trial match on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, WIB night, Kadek stated that his team had received many evaluations from the coaching team to improve their shortcomings and achieve better results when they returned to meet Mali.

"Of course, there are many evaluations from the coaching team starting from this morning's meeting. We conducted a lot of evaluations and this afternoon D-1 before the second leg, we will evaluate and what are the tactics to play in the second meeting against Mali," he said.

Kadek also said that when they fought Mali in the first match, the final completion of the opposing team was something to watch out for.

"I saw seven shots and they (Mali) managed to score three goals and it was very good in my opinion. That is certainly something we are wary of," said Kadek.

On the same occasion, the Chairman of the National Team Agency (BTN), Sumardji, said that Indonesia U-23 will receive Marselino Ferdinand who will immediately join Thailand at the end of November 2025.

Responding to Marselino's presence, Kadek admitted that it would be very helpful. Moreover, Marselino is also experienced at the senior level because he has played for the Indonesian national team 37 times even though he is only 21 years old.

"We sometimes have problems in the final third. We need players like Marselino too very well, we know the quality is very good."

"Of course if he comes he can also help a lot for this team," said Kadek.