U23 Indonesia had a dramatic semi-final match after defeating U23 Thailand in a penalty shootout with a score of 7-6. Despite many difficulties when falling behind, the team from the archipelago showed their mettle to win a ticket to the final match against U23 Vietnam.
After this victory, Indonesia U23 captain - Kadek Arel Priyatna said: "Football is always full of drama. When I am behind, my job is to encourage the whole team. At that time, we still had a lot of time and the result was that Indonesia won on penalties. It was truly a gift. Hopefully, we will become the U23 Southeast Asian champion".
In recent years, Indonesian youth football has continuously made its mark when it won the 32nd SEA Games, won the 2024 Southeast Asian U19 Championship, reached the 2024 U23 Asian Semi-finals and participated in the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Thai youth football is no longer able to maintain its original position, lacking stability and almost absent from major finals.
"I'm just saying it briefly like this, Thailand may still be the 'king' of Southeast Asia, but we will be the 'king' of regional football in the future," said Kadek Arel Priyatna.
In the upcoming 2025 U23 Southeast Asian final, U23 Indonesia will reunite with U23 Vietnam - the opponent that left their dream of winning the tournament unfinished 2 years ago.
With the desire to conquer and the determination to change the color of the medal, Kadek Arel Priyatna and his teammates are aiming for a happy ending.
However, U23 Vietnam - champion of two consecutive seasons is still showing top class in the regional playground. The upcoming match is not only a final match, but also an affirmation of the ambition, youth and the journey to rise of both of Southeast Asia's leading football regions.
