PSSI is focusing its efforts on helping the Indonesian U22 team compete for the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games.
PSSI has suspended domestic leagues, summoned 30 players (3 of whom are playing in Europe), and scheduled two friendly matches with the Mali U22 team before finalizing a 23-man squad, aiming to compete for the gold medal with Vietnam U22 and Thailand U22.
PSSI's toughest decision demonstrates the level of priority: suspending domestic professional leagues to give coach Indra Sjafri ample time to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games. The stated goal is to compete fairly for the gold medal in men's football with the Vietnam U22 and Thailand U22 teams.
Comprehensive investment: suspending domestic leagues, gathering personnel for coach Indra Sjafri.
In the latest training camp, the Indonesian U22 team assembled 30 players. The PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) mobilized maximum resources, prioritizing training conditions and working time for the coaching staff. More importantly, they proactively addressed the issue of international personnel: the SEA Games do not fall within FIFA Days, so the PSSI had to negotiate with foreign clubs to secure the best possible squad.
Three players currently playing in Europe have been included: Ivar Jenner, Mauro Zijlstra, and Dion Markx. In addition, PSSI continues its efforts to persuade clubs to release Marselino Ferdinand, Adrian Wibowo, and Tim Geypens.
The attack is the cornerstone: Zijlstra, Arjuna, and a versatile lineup of forwards.
The greatest strength of the Indonesian U22 team is currently expected to come from their attacking line. Mauro Zijlstra – a former starter in the World Cup qualifiers – is seen as a key attacking threat. Alongside Zijlstra is Rahmat Arjuna, forming a prominent attacking partnership at the disposal of coach Indra Sjafri.
- Mauro Zijlstra
- Rahmat Arjuna
- Rafael Struick
- Hokky Caraka
- Ricky Pratama
- Jens Raven
The depth of personnel in the attacking line opens up the possibility of rotation and adjusting match plans according to the opponent. This is the foundation for Indonesia to harbor ambitions of becoming a contender for the gold medal.
Two friendly matches against Mali U22: a tough test before finalizing the squad list.
To "fine-tune" the squad, the Indonesian U22 team has scheduled two crucial friendly matches against the Mali U22 team, considered a tough test. The results and performance from these two matches will be the basis for coach Indra Sjafri to narrow down the list from 30 to 23 players before flying to Thailand for the 33rd SEA Games.
The goal of this phase is not only to select players, but also to clearly define roles for the attacking players and build chemistry in attacking combinations – a factor that is often decisive in short-term tournaments.
Opponent scouting: sufficient data on the group stage, but lacking information on Vietnam and Thailand.
The Indonesian coaching staff has gathered a significant amount of data on the U22 teams of Myanmar, Singapore, and the Philippines. However, according to coach Indra Sjafri, the team still lacks sufficient information on the U22 teams of Vietnam and Thailand – two opponents considered benchmarks for their gold medal aspirations.
This data gap necessitates flexible adaptation right at the tournament, forcing Indonesia to optimize the components it controls: physical condition, transitions, and finishing quality.
Impact and expectations: the real challenge for the group of gold medal contenders.
Following the disappointment of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, PSSI (Indonesian Football Association) chose to respond by investing heavily in the U22 team. With a versatile attacking line, three players currently playing in Europe, and two tough friendly matches to assess their potential, the Indonesian U22 team has a solid foundation to become a real challenger to the Vietnamese and Thai U22 teams.
The rest depends on how coach Indra Sjafri selects the optimal 23 players and their ability to translate the advantages of preparation into performance when entering the SEA Games 33.
