Gerald Vanenburg Reflects on Indonesia U-23’s Failure to Qualify for the Asian Cup
Indonesia’s Disappointing Exit
On September 9, 2025, the U-23 national football team of Indonesia faced a disappointing setback as they failed to qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026. The decisive match took place at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, where Indonesia was narrowly defeated 1-0 by South Korea in the final game of Group J qualification. This result marked the end of Indonesia’s hopes to advance in the tournament, following a campaign that ultimately fell short.
Coach’s Perspective
Gerald Vanenburg, the head coach of the U-23 team, expressed his disappointment following the match. He acknowledged the efforts of his players, stating, “Actually, we’ve done a lot, but we haven’t succeeded.” Vanenburg, who took over coaching responsibilities after the Football Association of Indonesia opted not to renew the contract of previous coach Shin Tae-yong, emphasized the challenges his team faced against a physically superior South Korean squad.
Physical Challenges
One of the key issues highlighted by Vanenburg was the physical disparity between the two teams. He noted that as the match progressed, particularly around the 60th minute, his players struggled to keep pace with their opponents. “When we play against a team like Korea, which has very good physical strength, the players encounter a lot of difficulties because they can’t compete physically,” he explained. This observation points to a critical area for improvement in the development of Indonesian football, particularly at the youth level.
Vanenburg stressed the need for solutions to address these physical shortcomings, indicating that enhancing the physical conditioning of players should be a priority moving forward. “So, there must be a necessary and done solution to play against them,” he stated, underscoring the importance of preparing players to meet the demands of high-level competition.
Tactical Considerations
In addition to physical challenges, the coach also pointed to tactical factors that contributed to the team’s defeat. He acknowledged that while the players demonstrated potential and skill, the playing pattern adopted during the match may not have been effective against a team of South Korea’s caliber. “But actually, the kids we have here have the quality to play,” he remarked, suggesting that there is a foundation of talent that can be built upon in future training and matches.
Match Highlights
The match itself was tightly contested, with South Korea managing to secure the victory through a single goal. Hwang Doyun scored the only goal of the game just six minutes after kickoff, putting Indonesia on the back foot early. Despite this setback, the U-23 team made several attempts to penetrate the South Korean defense but ultimately failed to convert any chances into goals.
The loss meant that Indonesia finished the qualification round with four points from three matches, placing them second in Group J. However, this was insufficient for qualification to the final round of the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026, as they ended up in 10th place in the standings for the best runner-up teams. Only the top four second-placed teams would advance, leaving Indonesia on the outside looking in.
Looking Ahead
As the dust settles on this qualification campaign, the focus for Vanenburg and the Indonesian U-23 team will now shift to addressing the issues that have been laid bare by this experience. The coach’s insights into the physical and tactical challenges faced during the tournament will be crucial in shaping the future development of the team. With a clear understanding of the areas that need improvement, there is potential for the U-23 team to grow and compete more effectively in upcoming international fixtures.
In conclusion, while the disappointment of failing to qualify for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026 is palpable, it also serves as a learning opportunity for the players and coaching staff. The commitment to enhancing physical conditioning and refining tactical approaches will be essential steps in ensuring that Indonesia’s young footballers can rise to the challenges posed by top-tier teams in the future.
Key Facts
– Indonesia U-23 team lost 1-0 to South Korea in Group J qualification for the AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2026.
– The match took place on September 9, 2025, at Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, East Java.
– Coach Gerald Vanenburg highlighted physical and tactical challenges as reasons for the defeat.
– Indonesia finished the qualification round with four points from three matches, ranking second in Group J.
– Indonesia did not qualify for the final round, finishing 10th in the best runner-up standings.
Source: en.tempo.co
