Hot: U.23 Indonesia changes coach position after shocking defeat against Vietnam team

President of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir confirmed that Dutch coach, Gerald Vanenburg will be removed from his position in the country's youth team at the 33rd SEA Games. But he can still work in the U.23 Asian qualifiers.

The chance of U.23 Indonesia participating in the 2026 Asian Cup finals is too slim.

According to CNN Indonesia, coach Gerald Vanenburg confirmed that he was assigned by PSSI to lead the country's U.23 team in the U.23 Asian qualifiers in September, after finishing the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament as runner-up (losing to the U.23 Vietnam team 0-1 in the final on July 29).

Coach Gerald Vanenburg's future at U.23 Indonesia is uncertain.

PHOTO: NGUYEN KHANG

"Regarding the SEA Games, they said it was not my job. I was assigned to lead the Indonesian U.23 team in the next U.23 Asian qualifiers. Therefore, I will try to help the team win a ticket to the finals next year," coach Gerald Vanenburg affirmed.

Meanwhile, PSSI President Erick Thohir also said: "First of all, we will discuss with the team's coaching staff about the coach issue. The previous agreement was that Gerald Vanenburg will only continue working in the U.23 Asian qualifiers."

However, there are many rumors from the Indonesian press that the possibility of PSSI replacing coach Gerald Vanenburg with another coach right in the U.23 Asian qualifiers is also possible. This Dutch strategist is said to not help improve the playing style of U.23 Indonesia through the performance at the recently concluded U.23 Southeast Asian tournament.

The "Garuda Muda" (nickname of the Indonesian youth team) only really knew how to score in the match against the weak U.23 Brunei with a score of 8-0. Meanwhile, in the remaining 4 matches, they only scored 1 goal (1-1 draw in the semi-final against U.23 Thailand). The 1-0 victory over the Philippines was thanks to an own goal from the opponent, while in the match against Malaysia (0-0 draw) and especially in the final match against U.23 Vietnam (0-1 loss), they could not score any goals.

U.23 Indonesia is considered to have not made much progress under the leadership of coach Gerald Vanenburg.

PHOTO: NGUYEN KHANG

With a style of play that still has many shortcomings, the hope of U.23 Indonesia passing the U.23 Asian qualifiers (playing from September 3 to 9) to win a ticket to the 2026 Asian Cup is too fragile. Here, they will meet the very strong U.23 Korea, U.23 Laos and U.23 Macau. Only the top team will qualify, and the 4 best second-placed teams in the 11 groups will advance to the final round, according to CNN Indonesia.

Meanwhile, it is still unclear who will lead the Indonesian youth team to the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand this December. In the SEA Games men's football, the Indonesian U.22 team is the current champion with the gold medal won in Cambodia in 2023, led by coach Indra Sjafri.

Mr. Indra Sjafri is currently the Technical Director of PSSI after leaving the Indonesian U.20 team in February this year. Most likely, this veteran coach will be re-appointed by PSSI to lead the Indonesian U.22 team to participate in the 33rd SEA Games to defend the gold medal in men's football.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nong-u23-indonesia-bien-dong-ghe-hlv-sau-cu-soc-that-bai-truoc-doi-viet-nam-185250730090313384.htm