TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian U-23 national team advanced to the final round after defeating Thailand in the semifinals of the 2025 AFF U-23 Cup. The Young Garuda squad won through a penalty shootout at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Friday, July 25, 2025, with a score of 7-6.
Thailand scored the first goal in the 60th minute through Yotsakorn Burapha's action. Indonesia managed to equalize through Jens Raven's header in the 84th minute. The score remained the same after 120 minutes of play.
In the penalty shootout, Thailand's captain Pichitchai Sienkrathok and Yotsakorn Burapha failed to execute their penalties. Meanwhile, Thanawut Phochai, Songkhramsamut Namphueng, Saphon Noiwong, Thanakrit Laorkai, Chawanwit Saelao, and Pattarapon Suksakit were successful.
In the Indonesian team, Captain Kadek Arel, Kakang Rudianto, Rayhan Hannan, Hokky Caraka, Yardan Yafi, Brandon Scheunemann, and Alfharezzi Buffon performed their duties. However, Robi Darwis failed. Indonesia will now face Vietnam, which defeated the Philippines 2-0, in the final.
Match Highlights
Indonesian U-23 national team coach Gerald Vanenburg fielded Muhammad Ardiansyah as the goalkeeper. In defense, Kadek Arel Priyatna teamed up with Kakang Rudianto. Frengky Missa and Achmad Maulana were in the full-back positions.
In the midfield, Roby Darwis worked with Dony Tri Pamungkas and Dominikus Dion. The three supported the attacking trio of Rahmat Arjuna Reski, Muhammad Rayhan Hannan, and Jens Raven.
Thailand deployed a 4-5-1 formation. Thailand's coach, Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul, relied on Seksan Ratree's performance, who would be the defensive wall in the backline.
First Half
Indonesia played aggressively, relying on attacks from the wings. Indonesia's first chance came in the sixth minute. Starting from an attack on the right side of Thailand's defense, Rahmat Arjuna delivered a low cross into the penalty box. Dony Tri received the pass and took a shot. Unfortunately, it went wide.
After ten minutes of play, Thailand started to relieve the pressure. In the 14th minute, Phanthamit Praphanth had a clear chance to score after escaping the Indonesian defender's marking. However, his shot narrowly missed the left post of Ardiansyah's goal.
In the 28th minute, Indonesia had a good opportunity with Jens Raven's header from Rahmat Arjuna's cross. However, his header hit the post.
Indonesia and Thailand were involved in many midfield duels at a fast pace. At the end of the first half, Rahmat had the best chance when facing Sorawat Phosaman in the Thailand goal. However, his shot was blocked.
The match statistics showed Indonesia's ball possession dominance at 76 percent compared to Thailand's 24 percent. Indonesia had a total of six goal-scoring opportunities, while Thailand only had three.
Second Half
Gerald Vanenburg made no changes. Thailand's coach, Thiraphat Puethong, replaced Chaiyaphon Otton. This change allowed the young War Elephant team to play under higher pressure. This situation made it difficult for the Indonesian players, who remained dominant, to operate.
Indonesia had opportunities in the first ten minutes through shots from Robi Darwis and Rayhan Hannan. However, their shots were anticipated by Thailand's goalkeeper and defender.
Indonesia faced trouble in the 60th minute when a midfield error led to a counterattack. Seksan Ratree's movement was not covered by three Indonesian defenders, allowing him to release a pass into the penalty box. Yotsakorn Burapha managed to score from that pass.
Indonesia responded with a quick attack. Two minutes later, Hannan had a chance after receiving a breakthrough pass inside the penalty box. However, he failed to turn that clear opportunity into a goal.
The statistics for the second half showed that Indonesia's play began to relax. Despite still dominating possession at 69 percent, Thailand posed a more significant threat by creating six goal-scoring opportunities, three of which were on target.
Thailand nearly doubled their lead when Siraphop Wandee unleashed a powerful shot without marking. However, his shot was blocked by Ardiansyah.
In the 75th minute, Gerald made significant changes. He brought in three defenders, Brandon Scheunemann, Alfharezzi Buffon, and Muhammad Ferrari, to replace Rahmat, Dion, and Maulana. Indonesia attacked sporadically.
Gerald's tactic paid off in the 85th minute. Through a corner kick, Jens Raven, who escaped the opponent's marking, scored with a header. The score was again level at 1-1. This situation lasted until the end of the second half.
Extra Time
The match proceeded at a slow pace. Indonesia still dominated ball possession, and Thailand relied on their opponent's mistakes to launch counter-attacks. The score remained 1-1 until the 105th minute.
In the last 15 minutes, Indonesia seemed to lose focus. Several player errors almost put Garuda in a vulnerable position. Thailand was also unlucky as their passing accuracy and finishing were not precise.
In the 114th minute, goalkeeper Muhammad Ardiansyah made two successive saves to deny Praphanth from scoring. A penalty shootout was needed to decide the match outcome between Indonesia and Thailand.
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