Indonesia U16 Coach's Comments on the Skill Level of Vietnam U16 Team

Before the 2025 Southeast Asian U16 Women's Championship third-place game, Indonesia U16 Women's coach Timo Scheunemann gave his assessment of the Vietnam U16 Women's national team.

The 2025 Southeast Asian U16 Women's third-place playoff between Indonesia and Vietnam promises to be very exciting, as both teams are considered evenly matched. Indonesia's head coach, Timo Scheunemann, openly admitted that Vietnam is a tough opponent. According to him, both teams currently possess equal levels in this tournament.

“Vietnam and us are evenly matched at 50-50. They have invested in youth football for a long time, but looking at the current squads, the strengths are balanced. Therefore, our chances in the upcoming match are quite clear,” Coach Timo stated on the Kita Garuda platform.

Before this crucial game, Indonesia suffered a 0-3 defeat to Australia in the semifinals. Coach Timo believes that match provided many lessons for him and his players. He particularly emphasized ball control and the ability to switch play, which are key factors affecting attacking effectiveness.

“If we can complete two to three consecutive passes, our gameplay will improve significantly. The players all have the skills, but yesterday after regaining possession, we lost it too quickly. That caused us not to have any shots on target,” he analyzed.

Despite the loss to a strong opponent, the Indonesia U16 Women's coach praised the players' spirit. He highlighted that the team maintained their determination to fight until the end, not giving up even when trailing by a large margin. “I reminded the players not to lose by a heavy score, and indeed, they showed a resilient fighting spirit until the final whistle,” Coach Timo shared.

Thus, the third-place match against Vietnam is not just a contest for a medal but also an opportunity for Indonesia to affirm its development progress. On Vietnam’s side, the Red team is determined to prove their regional status after being eliminated in the semifinals. With thorough preparation and strong resolve, both teams promise a closely contested encounter.

Coach Timo Scheunemann’s evaluation of the situation before this third-place match accurately reflects the reality that the gap between Southeast Asian youth teams is narrowing. This not only makes the tournament more thrilling but also shows the balanced growth of women's football in the region.