Indonesian media admit U23 Vietnam caused the 'most painful moment' of 2025

Indonesian press described the home defeat to U23 Vietnam as one of the “most painful moments” in their football in 2025.

In its 2025 year-end review, Bola selected four moments considered the most bitter for Indonesian football, and the loss to U23 Vietnam in Jakarta during the U23 Southeast Asian Championship final was recalled as a deep wound for fans in the archipelago.

According to Bola, what made this defeat even more haunting was that Indonesia had a perfect chance to end a brilliant year, but the turning point—the final on July 29, 2025—turned all hopes into regret, triggering a series of disappointing results later across various national team levels.

Bola commented: “The U23 Indonesia team had the opportunity to shine brightly throughout 2025. However, the squad led by coach Gerald Vanenburg failed to seize the moment.

At the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Championship held in Jakarta, U23 Indonesia finished as runners-up. Garuda Muda (the nickname of U23 Indonesia) lost 0-1 to U23 Vietnam in the final. This caused the team to painfully lose the championship on home ground.”

Following that, Indonesian media continued to comment: “U23 Indonesia also disappointed by failing to qualify for the U23 Asian Championship finals in Saudi Arabia.” Alongside the disappointment at the U23 level, Indonesian football also saw the national team miss the 2026 World Cup, the U20 team eliminated early in the Asian tournament, and the U22 team failing to advance past the SEA Games group stage, painting a rare gloomy picture.

Bola further emphasized: “This is not to reopen old wounds but to examine how the negative events of 2025 could help Indonesia’s teams improve in the future.” In contrast to Indonesia, Vietnamese football closed 2025 with pride as coach Kim Sang Sik reached a historic milestone by securing a hat-trick of titles: AFF Cup, U23 Southeast Asia, and SEA Games.

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