Indonesia makes decision on U23 coach's fate after losing to U23 Vietnam

(Dan Tri) - The Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI) has made a decision on the fate of coach Gerald Vanenburg after the defeat to U23 Vietnam in the final match of the U23 Southeast Asian tournament.

Contrary to expectations, U23 Indonesia suffered a 0-1 defeat against U23 Vietnam in the final match of the U23 Southeast Asian tournament. This is the second consecutive time that U23 Indonesia has lost in the final match of this tournament to U23 Vietnam.

Coach Gerald Vanenburg continues to be assigned to lead the U23 Indonesia team in the U23 Asian qualifiers but will not work at the SEA Games (Photo: Bola).

Immediately after this match, the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) made a decision on the fate of coach Gerald Vanenburg. Accordingly, the Dutch strategist is still trusted to lead the Indonesian U23 team in the qualifying round of the U23 Asian Cup in September. However, he will not work with the team at the 33rd SEA Games at the end of the year.

Coach Gerald Vanenburg shared: “The Indonesian Football Federation has made it clear that the SEA Games is not within my scope of work. I am still assigned to lead the team in the U23 Asian qualifiers. I will do my best to help the team achieve the best results.”

President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, also confirmed this when answering the press after the match: "We will work more with the professional people in charge, but certainly coach Gerald Vanenburg will continue to lead U23 Indonesia in the qualifying round of the U23 Asian Cup."

Speaking after the defeat to U23 Vietnam, coach Gerald Vanenburg apologized to Indonesian fans. He said: "Thank you everyone. I apologize for this defeat.

I think the fans supported us completely. They understood that we tried our best and really wanted to win. We always need the support of the fans."

Coach Gerald Vanenburg apologized to U23 Indonesia fans after the defeat against U23 Vietnam (Photo: Bola).

According to the schedule, the 2026 AFC U23 qualifiers will take place from September 3-9. Indonesia U23 is in Group J with Laos U23, Macau U23 and South Korea U23. Indonesia will play the role of host in this group. The matches will take place at Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium.

In the upcoming tournament, U23 Indonesia will face U23 Laos on September 3. Next, they will face U23 Macau on September 6. Finally, the team from the archipelago will enter the decisive match with U23 Korea on September 9.

In the qualifying round of the U23 Asian Cup, only the group winners and the four best second-placed teams qualify for the final round. Therefore, U23 Indonesia faces an extremely difficult task.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/indonesia-ra-phan-quyet-ve-so-phan-hlv-doi-u23-khi-thua-u23-viet-nam-20250730130954215.htm