* Goals: Raven 2’, 8’, 30’, 33’, 41’, 62’, Arhan 20’, Hannan 35’
Playing on home turf, Indonesia fielded a squad with 14 players who had never played for the U23 team. The team was missing top stars like Marselino Ferdinan, Rafael Struick, and Ivar Jenner. However, two players of mixed heritage were present: defender Brandon Scheunemann (Germany) and Jens Raven (Netherlands) – champions of the 2024 U19 Southeast Asia Championship.
Against an opponent ranked 183rd by FIFA, Indonesia's skill disparity was evident. They controlled 84% of the possession, launching 28 shots with 14 on target. The hosts made 631 passes with 91% accuracy, while Brunei managed only 55 passes with 40% accuracy.
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Dutch-Indonesian forward Jens Raven (left) scored six goals to help Indonesia defeat Brunei 8-0 in their opening Group A match of the 2025 U23 Southeast Asia Championship at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Indonesia, on 15/7/2025. _Photo: Bola_ |
The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium saw a sparse crowd of only 2,743 spectators in a venue with a maximum capacity of nearly 77,000. However, they had reason to celebrate from the second minute with the home team's second attack. Rayhan Hannan sprinted down the right wing to the penalty area and crossed the ball. Jens Raven was there for a one-touch right-footed finish to open the scoring. Six minutes later, Brunei's offside trap was broken when Achmad Syarif raced into the box, but his shot hit goalkeeper Khairul Hisyam. Robi Darwis was there to pass to Raven, who calmly controlled the ball with his right foot and then slotted it with his left into the bottom right corner to double the lead.
Two early goals allowed Indonesia to play with ease, while their opponents continued to make mistakes, leading to four more goals for Raven. In the 30th minute, Nazry Aiman awkwardly attempted a clearance, but the ball deflected back towards the penalty area. Raven seized the opportunity, facing the goalkeeper and firing a right-footed shot into the top corner for a hat-trick. Three minutes later, from a right throw-in, he again faced the goalkeeper and scored with the outside of his right foot.
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The Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, with a capacity of nearly 77,000, saw only 2,743 spectators attend the Indonesia vs. Brunei match. _Photo: Bola_ |
Raven's fifth goal came from a penalty kick in the 40th minute with a powerful shot into the bottom right corner after Muhd Irfan fouled Rahmat Reski in the box. His sixth goal came in the 62nd minute when Muhammad Ferrari sent a long pass from his own half behind the Brunei defense. Raven sprinted past two defenders and chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, sealing the 8-0 victory.
Interspersed with Jens Raven's goals were two long-range shots from 22 meters by Arkhan Fikri in the 20th minute and Rayhan Hannan in the 35th minute.
The victory put Indonesia at the top of Group A, ahead of the Philippines, who defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the earlier match. It was also the largest victory in the tournament's history, equaling Thailand's win over Cambodia in the group stage of the 2005 tournament.
The second round of Group A matches will take place on 18/7. Indonesia will face the Philippines, and Brunei will play Malaysia, both at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
Starting Lineups:
Indonesia: Ardiansyah, Muhammad Ferrari, Dony Tri Pamungkas, Robi Darwis, Toni Firmansyah, Rayhan Hannan, Arkhan Fikri, Rahmat Reski, Brandon Scheunemann, Achmad Syarif, Jens Raven
Brunei: Khairul Hisyam, Abdul Hafiy, Danisyh Syariee, Azrin Danial, Wafiq Danish, Muhd Ali Munawwar, Muhamad Al-Kholil, Mohd Syafiq Hilmi, Muhd Irfan, Haziq Naqiuddin, Nazry Aiman.
Hieu Luong
