Jakarta. The Indonesia U-23 National Team is set to face Vietnam once again in the final match of the AFF U-23 Championship 2025, which will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

The match is more than just a battle for the championship trophy—it is about a long-standing rivalry and a golden opportunity to avenge painful defeats from the past.

The rivalry between Indonesia and Vietnam at the U-23 level has been forged through various official tournaments, including the AFF U-23 Championship, the SEA Games, and the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers. Out of ten total encounters, Vietnam has dominated, winning every single match.

One of the most painful moments for the Young Garudas came in the 2023 AFF U-23 Championship, when they were defeated by Vietnam in a dramatic penalty shootout (5-6) after a goalless draw in regular time.

Additionally, in the final of the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, Indonesia suffered a heavy 0-3 defeat to Vietnam. Two goals by Doan Van Hau and one by Do Hung Dung shattered the Young Garuda’s dream of winning the gold medal.

Indonesia’s Road to the Final

Coached by Gerald Vanenburg, the team has shown convincing performances since the group stage. They secured a massive 8-0 win over Brunei, a narrow 1-0 victory over the Philippines, and held Malaysia to a 0-0 draw to top Group A.

A tough challenge awaited in the semifinals against Thailand. After a 0-0 draw, Indonesia advanced to the final with a dramatic 7-6 win in the penalty shootout.

Vietnam’s Equally Impressive Performance

Vietnam showed strong form in Group B, winning 3-0 against Laos and 2-1 over Cambodia. In the semifinal, they initially trailed the Philippines after a goal by Javier Mariona but bounced back with goals from Nguyen Dinh Bac and Nguyen Xuan Bac to book their place in the final.

This final is seen as an ideal matchup, featuring two teams that have performed consistently throughout the tournament. But for the Young Garuda, this is more than just a big game—it’s a moment to avenge a painful loss from two years ago.

Now, Jens Raven and his teammates are determined to clinch the championship title in front of tens of thousands of supporters expected to fill GBK Stadium.

Predicted Line-up

Gerald Vanenburg is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation. Goalkeeper Muhammad Ardiansyah, who performed brilliantly in the semifinal, is expected to start once again.

The back line will likely feature Kakang Rudianto and Kadek Arel in central defense, with Achmad Maulana and Dony Tri Pamungkas on the flanks. Arkhan Fikri remains doubtful, but Rayhan Hannan, Dominikus Dion, and Robi Darwis are ready to take charge in midfield.

Up front, Jens Raven is set to lead the attack, supported by Victor Dethan and Rahmat Arjuna on the wings.

Meanwhile, Vietnam is expected to maintain their possession-based style of play, although they may adopt a more defensive approach under the pressure of the home crowd.

However, they also face issues in the attacking department. Low goal productivity and a lack of creativity have often been obstacles for the team coached by Kim Sang-sik.

Names like Khuat Van Khang and Nguyen Hieu Minh remain players to watch. Khuat is known as a captain adept at controlling the tempo of the game, while Hieu Minh, though a defender, has scored two crucial goals throughout the tournament.

Recent Meetings Between Indonesia and Vietnam (U-23):

• 26/08/2023 – Indonesia 0-0 Vietnam (5-6 on penalties), AFF U-23 Final

• 13/05/2023 – Indonesia 3-2 Vietnam, 2023 SEA Games Semifinal

• 06/05/2022 – Vietnam 3-0 Indonesia, 2021 SEA Games Group Stage

• 10/12/2019 – Indonesia 0-3 Vietnam, 2019 SEA Games Final

• 01/12/2019 – Vietnam 2-1 Indonesia, 2019 SEA Games Group Stage

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