Absence of Key Players Forces Gerald Vanenburg into Major Adjustments

The absence of several key players ahead of the crucial match against Thailand in the 2025 AFF U-23 Championship semifinal poses a significant challenge for coach Gerald Vanenburg. With vital players like Arkhan Fikri and Toni Firmansyah sidelined due to injury, Vanenburg is forced to massively overhaul his strategy and player formation to maintain team balance and effectiveness. Despite the difficult circumstances, Gerald Vanenburg remains optimistic that the available squad can compete effectively and achieve optimal results in this crucial match.

Significant Impact of Arkhan Fikri and Toni Firmansyah’s Absence

The absence of key player Arkhan Fikri is a heavy blow for Indonesia’s U-23 National Team ahead of their critical match against Thailand in the 2025 AFF U-23 Championship semifinal. Gerald Vanenburg particularly feels the significant impact of losing Arkhan, who has been instrumental in his playing strategy. Arkhan not only distributes the ball but also creates scoring opportunities with creative passes that break down opponents’ defenses. Without Arkhan, Gerald Vanenburg must brainstorm extensively as he has lost a player with high creativity who typically orchestrates attacks from midfield. This situation has resulted in less fluid gameplay, reducing goal-scoring opportunities.

Additionally, Toni Firmansyah’s absence compounds the difficulties faced by Gerald Vanenburg. Toni is known as the driving force of the attack, possessing sharp vision and high aggressiveness. He is also a central figure capable of controlling the game’s tempo. Without Toni, Vanenburg must swiftly find alternative strategies to keep the team solid under high pressure from Thailand. Gerald Vanenburg must now rely on reserve players who usually receive less playtime, expecting them to perform optimally in this crucial match.

Player Flexibility as Gerald Vanenburg’s Main Solution

To cope with the absence of these important players, Gerald Vanenburg emphasizes the importance of positional flexibility among players. One player receiving special attention from Vanenburg is Dony Tri Pamungkas. According to Gerald Vanenburg, Dony has the quality and high flexibility to play in multiple positions. Vanenburg openly stated, “Donny has many qualities and flexibility. In this tournament, we must look at the team’s needs, not only the ideal formation on paper.” This statement reflects how Gerald Vanenburg is prepared to experiment and adapt player positions to find the best formation against Thailand.

In addition to Dony, Gerald Vanenburg also hopes other reserve players can quickly adapt to positional changes. They must perform effectively, both defensively and offensively, ensuring the team maintains the required balance. This positional adaptation strategy is an important component of Vanenburg’s approach to overcoming the challenging situation caused by injuries to key players, while also serving as a valuable opportunity for reserve players to demonstrate their capabilities.