The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualifiers: Gerald Vanenburg's Real Test

The qualification for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup is a true test for the coach of the Indonesian U-23 team, Gerald Vanenburg. PSSI aims for Vanenburg to replicate the achievement of the 2024 edition by qualifying for the main round of the U-23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, next January.

Two years ago, Indonesia made a historic mark by reaching the semifinals of the U-23 Asian Cup as debutants. Australia and South Korea are among the Asian giants that experienced the resilience of the team coached by Shin Tae-yong.

The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup does not provide tickets to qualify for the Olympics, but this does not diminish the ambitions of the "Garuda Muda" team in the slightest. Indonesia is determined to replicate its achievement of becoming one of the top four teams in the highest age group tournament in Asia.

In order to reach Saudi Arabia, Indonesia must first win the competition in Group J during the qualifying round. South Korea, Laos, and Macau will challenge Rafael Struick and his teammates at the Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java.

The journey of Garuda Muda will begin by challenging fellow Southeast Asian team, Laos, on Wednesday (3/9/2025). Subsequently, matches against Macau (6 September) and South Korea (9 September) will determine Indonesia's fate, which aspires to advance to the main stage of the U-23 Asian Cup.

If we look at the strength map referring to the group division of the qualifying round, Indonesia's toughest opponent is certainly South Korea. The champion of the 2020 edition ranks fourth in accumulated points based on performance in the last three editions of the U-23 Asian Cup. Meanwhile, Indonesia is ranked twelfth.

Laos is in the 29th position, while Macau is ranked 39th, out of 44 countries participating in the qualification for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup.

In order to advance to the main round, Indonesia must not only focus on the decisive and final match against South Korea. Indonesia should already accelerate when facing Laos and Macau.

Achieving a significant victory over Laos and Macau will be highly beneficial for the ambitions of Garuda Muda towards the main stage. In addition to the champion teams from 11 qualifying groups, the four best second-placed teams will head to Saudi.

We will strive to help the players give their all. This tournament must be better than the last. - Gerald Vanenburg

Should they fail to defeat South Korea in the final match, the accumulation of victories and significant goals will determine the fate of Garuda Muda in advancing to the main round. The calculation for the second-best ranking is determined by points, followed by goal difference and goals scored.

It is not surprising that the Chairman of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), Erick Thohir, reminded the children under Vanenburg's guidance to play earnestly from the very first match. According to Erick, Indonesia should not only focus on facing South Korea.

"The team must be serious and should not underestimate the opponents when facing Laos and Macau. Anything can happen in football," said Erick in Jakarta last week.

Vanenburg has determined 23 players for the qualifying round. Only defender Dion Markx is a player outside the BRI Liga Super Indonesia 2025-2026 club. Dion is currently playing for TOP Oss in the Second Division of the Dutch League.

Vanenburg remains the mainstay of the Young Garuda at the 2025 ASEAN U-23 Championship. Six players are listed as uncapped for the Indonesian U-23 team. They are Daffa Fasya (goalkeeper/Borneo Samarinda), Dion (center-back/TOP Oss), Mikael Tata (wing-back/Persebaya Surabaya), Zanadin Fariz (midfielder/Persis Solo), Salim Tuharea (wing-forward/Arema), and Ricky Pratama (wing-forward/PSM Makassar).

In addition, Vanenburg has also equipped his squad with five players who recorded playing time in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup in Qatar. Muhammad Ferrari is expected to be the primary choice in the center-back position. Furthermore, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Arkhan Fikri, and M Rayhan Hannan are options in the midfield.

Two attackers also have experience playing in the U-23 Asian Cup: Hokky Caraka and Rafael Struick. Rafael, in particular, has fond memories of facing South Korea. He scored a brace, or two goals, that helped the Garuda Muda eliminate South Korea in the quarterfinals of the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Vanenburg confirmed that the qualification for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup is a redemption opportunity for his squad after failing to win the 2025 U-23 AFF Cup. Garuda Muda lost 0-1 to Vietnam in the final of the U-23 AFF Cup last July.

"We will strive to help the players give their all. This tournament must be better than the previous one," said Vanenburg, who was a member of the main squad of the Dutch national team when they won the European Cup in 1988.

The distinctive attacking style of Dutch football is certainly something to look forward to for the national football audience. Vanenburg has presented a blueprint for attacking play for the Garuda Muda at the 2025 ASEAN U-23 Championship.

Indonesia recorded an average ball possession of 69 percent in five matches in the Southeast Asian arena. Even against Vietnam and Thailand, which have often been a challenge for Indonesia, Vanenburg helped his team play offensively and dominate ball possession.

The superiority in ball possession will certainly be evident against Laos and Macau. The challenge from Vanenburg's characteristic attacking style will arise when Indonesia faces South Korea. Indonesia's main objective is to qualify for the U-23 Asian Cup. Therefore, attacking play must be accompanied by effectiveness in capitalizing on opportunities.

South Korea U-23 coach Lee Min-sung implied that the final result is prioritized by his team when competing in Sidoarjo. He will prepare his team to pursue victory in every match.

"We will try to play to achieve a positive result," said Lee, as quoted by South Korean media, Nate Sports.

Good luck, Young Garuda!