After 3 matches in the group stage of the 2025 Southeast Asian U.23 tournament, the Indonesian U.23 team has won a ticket to the semi-finals with the top position in Group A, a worthy achievement considering the thorough preparation, strong squad and home field advantage. However, behind the top position and impressive victories, there are still big questions about the attacking ability and finishing quality, factors that the President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) Erick Thohir clearly stated as "not optimal".
In the opening match, coach Gerald Vanenburg's team created a rain of goals when defeating U.23 Brunei with a score of 8-0. However, that victory made experts cautious because the opponent was too weak, and the number of missed opportunities was almost as many as the number of times the Indonesian players put the ball in the net. When facing better-organized opponents like the Philippines and Malaysia, the limitations in attacking and finishing of coach Vanenburg's team immediately became clear.
PSSI President said that U.23 Indonesian players' finishing was not effective.
PHOTO: PSSI
In the match against the Philippines - a disciplined but not too strong team, U.23 Indonesia only scored 1 goal, despite having the ball in their possession and constantly pressing. In the final match of the group stage, the team from the archipelago drew 0-0 with Malaysia, in a match where they controlled the ball twice as much as their opponent, but could not score. The lack of sharpness in the final moves, the impatience in finishing, as well as the dependence on a few individuals in the attack line are the points that make fans of the archipelago team not feel secure.
"The finishing ability of Indonesian players is not really good"
PSSI President Erick Thohir, who has been following the team's journey closely, gave a frank assessment: "I think the team's style of play has begun to take shape. However, the finishing ability is not really good. There were some chances to finish but I think our strikers, both Jens Raven and Caraka Hokky, did not take advantage of them."
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Under Vanenburg, Indonesia U.23 pursues a modern style of play, ball control and quick transitions. But up front, the striker duo Jens Raven - a naturalized player playing in the Netherlands, and Caraka, an experienced striker at the youth level Hokky, have not been in good form. Jens Raven, after 6 goals against Brunei U.23, has not yet contributed any more goals. Meanwhile, Hokky has been silent after 3 matches.
Naturalized striker of Dutch origin - Jens Raven scored 6 goals against the weak team U.23 Brunei, but was silent in the 2 matches against tougher opponents like Philippines and Malaysia.
PHOTO: NGUYEN KHANG
However, Mr. Thohir also said that the team will still put their faith in these two strikers in key matches: "We will continue to give Jens and Hokky a chance in the semi-finals. They must prove their ability in decisive matches such as the semi-finals and finals."
The positive sign is that the team’s style of play has been defined, strong, fast and clear in tactical ideas. But in the knockout rounds, where mistakes or wasted opportunities can be costly, U.23 Indonesia need to press the field… but score. Efficiency, which is always a top priority in modern football, will be the measure of the home team’s championship ambitions.
The upcoming semi-final match will be a real test of both the playing style and finishing ability of U.23 Indonesia.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chu-tich-pssi-len-tieng-canh-bao-u23-indonesia-doi-mat-bai-toan-kho-nao-185250722141315279.htm
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