Indonesia's Coach Confident in Winning Gold at SEA Games

Coach Indra Sjafri shows great confidence, stating that the U23 Indonesia squad is prepared to retain the men's football gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand.

The head coach of Indonesia's U23 team, Mr. Indra Sjafri, conveyed optimism and confidence after the men's football draw for the 2025 SEA Games was announced in Bangkok, Thailand on the afternoon of October 19. According to the draw, Indonesia was placed in Group C alongside Myanmar, the Philippines, and Singapore, a group considered manageable for the defending champions.

Speaking to CNN Indonesia, Coach Indra began with a brief but determined statement: "Bismillah," affirming his belief that his team will continue their success at the upcoming Southeast Asian Games. The Indonesian coach mentioned that the draw results provide the coaching staff with clearer direction for planning training, gathering information, and analyzing opponents.

“With this group allocation, we now have a foundation to start detailed planning. The coaching team can collect data, analyze the form and playing style of the opponents in the group, and prepare suitable tactics for each match,” Indra stated.

The coach who led Indonesia's U23 team to the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games also emphasized that beyond tactics, building a training roadmap and managing performance cycles (periodization) is extremely important. According to him, ensuring players peak at the right time during competition is the key to the team’s success.

“Tactical preparation is essential, but equally important is long-term planning so the team reaches peak performance during the SEA Games. Every training session, friendly match, and recovery must be carefully calculated,” Coach Indra emphasized.

The 2025 SEA Games will be held in Thailand from December 9 to 20, with men's football expected to start a few days before the opening ceremony. With confidence and thorough preparation, Indonesia's U23 team aims to defend their gold medal and reaffirm their status as a leading force in Southeast Asian football.