After a 0-1 defeat in the 2025 U23 Southeast Asian Cup final, the Indonesian media had a notable reaction to the home team's performance against U23 Vietnam. Bola newspaper frankly commented: "Being silenced by U23 Vietnam, U23 Indonesia accepted defeat".
According to this newspaper, although Garuda Muda actively attacked and controlled the ball well, they still could not penetrate the opponent's solid defense.
U23 Indonesia continues to suffer more pain when facing U23 Vietnam... The whole team is indecisive and often makes basic mistakes, Bola commented,
This newspaper pointed out three reasons for failure: lack of sharp handling of final situations, monotonous playing style and poor creativity in attack.
CNN Indonesia expressed regret: "U23 Indonesia could not win the championship even though playing at home... The match was tense with many collisions, especially at the end of the first half when the Indonesian players could not stay calm in the face of challenge actions from the opponent".
The newspaper also mentioned the controversial situation at the end of the match, when coach Kim Sang-sik of U23 Vietnam was accused of having unsportsmanlike behavior towards Robi Darwis, causing the home team's coaching bench to heat up.
Meanwhile, Suara said that the pain of failure was even greater when Indonesia twice in a row fell to U23 Vietnam in the final. The newspaper emphasized: "They cannot take advantage of home field advantage, and the wound from the defeat last year has been dug deeper".
Suara also questioned the referee's decision not to remove central defender Ly Duc from the squad after a foul on Rahmat Arjuna, saying that not using VAR was unfair.
With this victory, U23 Vietnam continues to affirm its No. 1 position in the region and will aim for the U23 Asian qualifiers and the 33rd SEA Games with an exciting spirit.
