Indonesia U23s Launch Championship Campaign with Dominating Victory Over Brunei
Indonesia’s Under-23 national team emphatically began their journey in the ASEAN U23 Championship with a resounding 8-0 victory over Brunei on July 15, 2025. The match, held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, showcased Indonesia’s attacking prowess despite the absence of several established players.
A New-Look Squad Steps Up
The indonesian squad featured a notable number of emerging talents, with 14 players making their debut appearances at the U23 level. This provided an possibility for new faces to prove their worth on the international stage. Notably, the team integrated two players with Indonesian heritage – defender brandon Scheunemann from Germany and striker Jens Raven from the Netherlands. Raven, in particular, had already demonstrated his potential, having impressed during the 2024 ASEAN U19 Boys Championship.the team’s performance wasn’t hampered by the missing key players like Marselino Ferdinan, Rafael Struick and Ivar Jenner, demonstrating the depth of talent within the Indonesian youth system.
Statistical Dominance Reflects On-Field Control
Indonesia’s dominance was comprehensively reflected in the match statistics. They maintained a staggering 84% possession throughout the game, illustrating their control of the tempo and territory. The hosts unleashed a total of 28 shots, with 14 forcing Brunei’s goalkeeper into action. In contrast, Brunei struggled to establish a foothold, completing only 55 passes with a mere 40% accuracy compared to Indonesia’s extraordinary 631 passes at a 91% success rate. This disparity in passing accuracy highlights Indonesia’s superior ball retention and distribution.
Raven’s Record-Breaking Performance
the match will be remembered for the sensational performance of striker Jens Raven, who remarkably scored six goals. The Jakarta crowd, though numbering only 2,743 in the vast 77,000-capacity stadium, witnessed Raven’s opening goal in just the second minute, capitalizing on a well-placed cross from Rayhan Hannan.
Indonesia quickly extended their lead in the eighth minute, exploiting a defensive lapse in Brunei’s offside trap. Achmad Syarif’s shot, initially saved by the goalkeeper, fell to Robi Darwis, who set up Raven for a composed finish. raven continued his onslaught, completing a hat-trick in the 30th minute with a precise right-footed shot into the top corner following a Bruneian error. He added another goal just three minutes later, converting from a throw-in, showcasing his versatility and clinical finishing.
Raven’s six-goal performance is a rare feat in international football, comparable to Archie Thompson’s 13 goals for Australia against American Samoa in a 2001 World Cup qualifier – a testament to his remarkable form and Brunei’s defensive vulnerabilities. The remaining goals were added by other Indonesian players, solidifying a comprehensive victory and setting a strong foundation for their championship aspirations.