iMSPORT.TV – Former Indonesian national team player Atep Rizal is confident the Indonesian U-22 national team, coached by Indra Sjafri, can defend its gold medal in football at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
“If you say we can, I’m sure we can. With the same coach, it means the coach has developed the winning mentality,” Atep told reporters after attending the “Media Cup 2025” coaching clinic at Pendekar Goozone Mini Soccer Cibis Park, South Jakarta, on Wednesday.
Indra and the Garuda Muda ended their SEA Games gold medal drought two years ago in Cambodia, where they defeated Thailand 5-2.
At that time, Indra’s squad was comprised of players who were regulars on the senior national team, such as Rizky Ridho, Marselino Ferdinan, Ernando Ari, Ramadhan Sananta, Pratama Arhan, and Beckham Putra.
Former National Team Player Confident Indonesia will Retain its SEA Games Gold Medal
That generation has passed its time at the SEA Games, but Atep believes Indra’s winning mentality in Southeast Asia can be passed on to the current generation of Young Garudas, such as Kadek Arel, Cahya Supriadi, Toni Firmansyah, Dony Tri Pamungkas, and Jens Raven.
Atep believes there is a chance to defend the SEA Games gold medal, but it won’t be easy, considering that Indonesia will certainly face a test against host Thailand, which has not won a medal in the last three editions despite reaching the final twice.
Thailand is the most successful country in SEA Games football with 16 gold medals. They last won the title in 2017 in Malaysia, when they defeated the host nation 1-0 in the final.
“Yes, it’s possible because we know our players have quite a lot of experience. Although it won’t be easy to maintain that, as teams like Thailand and Vietnam have also prepared very well,” said Atep.
In preparation for the 2025 SEA Games, Indra’s first-choice squad of 32 players played two friendly matches against India, ending in a 1-1 draw and a 1-2 loss at Gelora Bung Karno Madya Stadium in Jakarta in mid-October.
Indra will lead the second phase of the U-22 national team’s training camp in November and will play two friendly matches, with a reduced number of players than in the first phase.
(adm/amr)
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