Sidoarjo – Indonesia‘s U-23 team faces a crucial match against South Korea on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at the Gelora Delta Sidoarjo Stadium, wiht qualification for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup hanging in the balance. A victory is essential for Garuda Muda to secure a direct qualifying spot.
Currently, Indonesia sits in second place in Group J of the qualification tournament with four points, earned from one win and one draw. South Korea leads the group with six points after two consecutive wins. Only the group winners and the best runners-up advance to the final tournament in Saudi Arabia.Indonesia’s path to qualification is narrow; they must win to guarantee a place, as finishing with only five points would eliminate them due to other teams holding superior records.
Indonesia is currently outside the best runner-up zone, trailing China, Iran, turkmenistan, and Yemen, all of whom have six points. Eleven group champions and only four runners-up will qualify for the finals.
Indonesia previously reached the semifinals of the 2024 U-23 asian Cup, defeating South Korea in the quarterfinals via a penalty shootout under the guidance of Shin Tae-yong.
Requirements for Indonesia to qualify for the U-23 Asian Cup 2026:
Win against South Korea
Failure to win will confirm elimination.