"Garuda Muda" Aims for New History at the SEA Games

Maintaining something is always more difficult than achieving it. This old adage aptly describes the situation faced by the Indonesian U-22 football team. Winning the SEA Games gold medal is indeed a proud achievement. However, in the current context, Indonesia could be considered a giant in Southeast Asian football if it is able to retain the gold medal won two years ago.

In the history of the SEA Games, several countries have successfully defended their gold medals (back-to-back champions). These include Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. Indonesia, which has won the SEA Games three times in 1987, 1991, and 2023, has yet to achieve such a feat. Therefore, the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand is a must-see for the "Young Garuda" as they look to make new history.

However, the effort to retain the gold will face a steep challenge. The host nation, Thailand, is eager to redeem their failure in the previous edition's final against Indonesia. In addition, Thailand is tempted to once again experience the sweetness of victory. The "War Elephants" last won the SEA Games gold in the 2017 edition, seven years ago.

"Our goal is clear: to be champions. Thailand has been absent from winning the gold medal at the SEA Games for too long. This time, as the host, we have prepared ourselves thoroughly for months," said Thailand U-22 Coach Thawatchai Damrong-Ongtrakul.

To realize this ambition, Wang, commonly known as Ongtrakul, has conducted two trial matches ahead of the SEA Games. In the first opportunity, Thailand tested its strength against China, resulting in a 0-0 draw. Subsequently, Thailand defeated India 4-0 in the second trial match.

Thailand's victory over India should serve as a warning signal for Indonesia. This is because Indonesia has also faced India twice. However, the team coached by Indra Sjafri could only manage a draw and suffered one defeat. Thailand's striking victory over India clearly illustrates how solid the performance of Wang's team is.

Wang also formed a team with a mix of young and experienced players. One of the names Thailand retained from the previous edition was Yotsakorn Burapha. The striker from S. League club Hougang United had already demonstrated his prowess by scoring a hat trick in the opening match against Timor Leste.

Yotsakorn also became a nightmare for Indonesia in the previous edition's final match. He scored the equalizing goal that forced the match to continue into extra time. Regardless of that, Thailand's emphatic 6-1 victory over Timor Leste suggests that they will be a stumbling block for Indonesia in creating new history.

We emphasize that this is a new team. This is a new spirit and new opportunities. So it won't be a burden for us.

On the other hand, the status of defending champion does not automatically benefit Indonesia. In any tournament, other contestants will be highly motivated to defeat the defending champion. Furthermore, Indonesia's opponents are already expected to exercise heightened vigilance, making it highly likely that they will strive to play very meticulously and with minimal errors.

This situation demands that the Garuda Muda play beyond their creative limits. Unfortunately, in the two friendlies against India and Mali, that limitless creativity was not evident. Instead of being creative, the Indonesian players were pressured by India's fast-paced switch play. Indonesia's two goals in the two matches against India were scored thanks to the individual brilliance of Donny Tri Pamungkas.

Despite being the defending champion, Indra stated that his team does not feel burdened. This is because most of the players he brought to this edition are competing in the SEA Games for the first time. Only two players have experienced the championship title in Cambodia, namely Ananda Raehan and Muhammad Ferrari.

Rather than feeling burdened, Indra said his players were actually more motivated to achieve similar success in Thailand.

"Of course, it is a pride (as the defending champion) for us in Southeast Asia. That our football is better than before. For us (the defending champion status) it will certainly boost our confidence that our team is also developing. We emphasize that this is a new team. This is a new spirit and opportunity. So it will not be a burden for us," said Indra during a press conference ahead of the match, Thursday (4/12/2025), in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

When winning the gold medal, Indra relied on local talents developed through domestic football training. Indra also realized that defending the gold medal is much more challenging. Therefore, Indra strengthened the team by combining football talents from both domestic and international sources.

In the list of 23 definitive players, there are also three players competing in the Dutch League. They are spread across the defense, midfield, and forward positions. These include defender Dion Markx from TOP Oss, who competes in the Dutch Second Division, midfielder Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht), and forward Mauro Zijlstra (FC Volendam). However, Indonesia will miss Marselino Ferdinan, who was not released by his club, AS Trencin, due to an ongoing injury.

Despite Marselino's absence, Indra is considered to lead a relatively luxurious team. Such luxury is not possessed by other teams. Malaysia, which is in Group B alongside Vietnam and Laos, even had to lose seven players due to their clubs not releasing them.

The loss of seven players has reduced Malaysia's strength, which requires a positive result in the opening match against Laos. In tournaments not recognized by FIFA, such as the SEA Games, clubs have the right to refuse to release their players.

"From a preparation standpoint, we continue to train despite the lack of players. Perhaps some will join after completing matches with their respective states or clubs. After that, we hope they can join the team," said Malaysia's Coach Nafuzi Zain as quoted by Bernama.

Indonesia's struggle to defend the gold medal began with a match against the Philippines in the first game. The team, coached by Garrath McPherson, has developed significantly compared to their performance in the AFF U-22 Cup in July 2025. The Philippines posed a threat following a convincing 2-0 victory over Myanmar in the opening match of Group C.

Sandro Reyes has become a player who requires special attention from Indonesia. The midfielder of FC Gutersloh in the Fourth Division of the German League is strong in maintaining the midfield. "We are entering the SEA Games with great enthusiasm. We are ready to create surprises, defeating strong teams like Myanmar or Indonesia to advance far in this tournament," said McPherson.

McPherson's statement feels like an open challenge to Indonesia. It is only fitting for Indonesia to respond by presenting itself more collectively than when facing India and Mali.

The first match can sometimes determine a team's achievements, especially for short tournaments like the SEA Games. The way Indonesia plays in response to the Philippines will reflect whether it is ready to carve out a new history or not.

Dear readers, Kompas Daily is opening a Letters to Athletes column containing opinions, encouragement, or comments regarding the performance of Indonesian athletes at the 2025 SEA Games Thailand. Send your short comments, a minimum of two sentences and a maximum of six sentences, by filling in the column below. We will publish selected comments in Kompas Daily during the 2025 SEA Games.