Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
PSSI National Team Body (BTN) Chairman Sumardji assessed the performance
U-23 Indonesian National Team
who failed miserably at the 2025 SEA Games after being eliminated in the group phase, doesn’t make sense.
Sumardji admitted that he was surprised that the appearance of Ivar Jenner and his friends was far from expectations.Starting from losing 0-1 against the Philippines, which was Garuda Muda’s first defeat against The Azkals in the SEA Games, then failing to beat Myanmar by a margin of more than three goals.
“I’ll be honest, this is the most difficult, most difficult and most unreasonable team in the SEA Games,” said Sumardji during a press conference at Menara Mandiri, Jakarta, Tuesday (16/12).
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In terms of preparation, Garuda Muda, coached by Indra Sjafri, also underwent more thorough preparation than before, including four trials against India U-23 and Mali U-22.
Garuda Muda also arrived in Chiang Mai, Thailand, earlier, namely approximately one week before playing their first match.
The 2025/2026 Super League competition is also on holiday during the SEA Games.This was done by the league operator to provide full support to Garuda Muda to defend the gold medal won at the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games.
“What I’m also surprised about is that the quality of the players we brought in is extraordinary. Previously, it was said that the diaspora would not participate, but now they are participating (Ivar Jenner, Mauro Zijlstra, Dion Markx). What’s more, we’ll try to prepare it all. In my heart and feeling at the start, it should be good, at least it can be in the final,” said Sumardji.
“That’s why when the result, in my opinion, luck was very far away, this also confused me. That’s why it went viral and I was thinking, I was really surprised, I think it’s strange. I’m used to bringing teams, I’m not minimizing it, so far in Southeast Asia I’ve brought a team against the Philippines that has never lost,” he added.
Indonesia’s failure to reach the semifinals of the 2025 SEA Games was a harsh blow.This is because in the last seven editions, Indonesia has always managed to reach the semifinals and even in 2023 managed to become champion.
The last time Garuda Muda failed to advance from the group stage was in the 2009 edition when they were bottom of the group.As a result of this failure, PSSI ended its collaboration with Indra Sjafri as coach of the U-23 Indonesian National Team.
[Gambas:hitclubapk3 Video]
(jal/rhr)
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