November 15, 2025 | 09:54 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Under-23 (U-23) national football team is set to face Mali in a friendly match on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The game will take place at Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Bogor, at 08:00 PM Western Indonesia Time, and will be broadcast live on Indosiar, an Indonesian free-to-air television network, and Vidio, a popular Indonesian streaming platform.
The young Garudas will meet Mali twice during this international break, with a second match scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, at the same venue and kickoff time.
Both fixtures fall under the FIFA Match Day window and are part of the team’s preparations for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand next December.
Indonesia had initially planned to play Bahrain as well, but the match, scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, was canceled after Bahrain withdrew to participate in a tournament in Kyrgyzstan.
Sumardji, head of the National Team Body (BTN), said Mali was chosen as an alternative because Southeast Asian opponents were not suitable ahead of the SEA Games.
“If we look for opponents from Southeast Asia, it isn’t feasible because they are our competitors in the SEA Games. Yesterday I discussed this with Coach Indra. Initially, the options were Mali and Bahrain,” he said.
U-23 head coach Indra Sjafri acknowledged that Mali, who sits higher in the FIFA rankings, would present a tough challenge, but said that is exactly what the team needs.
“We consider this a demanding test match, and that’s what we want,” he said during a press conference in Jakarta on Friday, November 14.
Indra added that playing against a stronger team is crucial to evaluating how his players handle pressure and adapt to different levels of quality.
“We want to see how the players respond to situations created by a team with strong capabilities,” he said.
The back-to-back friendlies will also act as a tactical rehearsal ahead of the biennial regional tournament.
“These two matches can be preparation for the level of competition they will face in Southeast Asia,” Indra said. “That’s what we hope to gain from this second friendly.”
The matches against Mali will double as part of the squad selection process. From the 33 players participating in the second training camp for the 2025 SEA Games, only 23 will be selected for the final team. Indra emphasized that selections will be based on performance rather than potential.
Ihsan Reliubun contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: France Secures Spot in 2026 World Cup After 4-0 Win Over Ukraine
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Today's Top 3 News: Indonesia to Cut Coal Production in 2026 to Lift Global Prices
15 jam lalu
Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today.
Minister Highlights Personal Ties Between Jordan King and Prabowo Ahead Jakarta Visit
18 jam lalu
President Prabowo and King Abdullah II first met on December 4, 1995. Prabowo went into exile in Jordan in 1998.
Indonesia Destroys Over 19,000 Bales of Second-Hand Clothing from China, Japan
18 jam lalu
The Ministry of Trade has destroyed a large amount of second-hand clothes that were confiscated from several importers.
France Secures Spot in 2026 World Cup After 4-0 Win Over Ukraine
1 hari lalu
The French national team has secured their place in the final round of the 2026 World Cup after defeating Ukraine with a score of 4-0. They follow England, who advanced earlier.
Indonesia to Cut Coal Production in 2026 to Lift Global Prices
1 hari lalu
The government indicated that coal output next year could fall below 700 million tons, although it has not yet specified the exact reduction target.
Indonesia Considers Granting Amnesty for Drug Users and ITE Law Violators
1 hari lalu
There is a potential for this new wave of amnesty and abolition to be announced by President Prabowo on the occasion of World Human Rights Day.
Indonesia Mulls Applying Sugar Warning Labels on Packaged Drinks
1 hari lalu
The plan aims to protect Indonesia's younger generation from the threat of diabetes and kidney failure due to excessive sugar consumption.
Indonesia's Top Court Blocks Police Officers from Taking Civil Posts
1 hari lalu
The Constitutional Court rules that police officers can no longer hold civil positions, requiring them to resign or retire first.
Indonesia U-23 Set for Two Crucial Friendlies With Mali Before SEA Games 2025
1 hari lalu
The Indonesian national U-23 football team, currently being prepared for the SEA Games 2025, will have two friendly matches against Mali this week and next week.
Indonesia Weighs New Mandate on CCTV Monitoring for Criminal Questioning
1 hari lalu
The CCTV footage will not only be used for the purpose of investigation, but also for the suspect's defense.
