Indonesian and Brunei Player Composition: A Scouting Report

Jens Raven Debuts as Indonesia U-23 Kick Off AFF U-23 Championship Campaign

Jakarta – The Indonesian U-23 national team has officially begun their 2025 AFF U-23 Championship journey, facing Brunei Darussalam in their opening group stage match. Making his debut for the Garuda muda squad is young talent Jens Raven, who has been named in the starting lineup.

The highly anticipated clash against Brunei is taking place tonight, Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at the renowned Bung Karno Stadium, marking an important fixture in Group A of the tournament.

Raven, a 19-year-old Dutch-Indonesian striker, earned his first start for the national team in this encounter. He is set to lead the attacking line alongside Toni Firmansyah and Rahmat Arjuna. The midfield will be anchored by Achmad Maulana, Rayhan Hannan, and Arkhan Fikri, providing a blend of creativity and energy.

Under the guidance of coach Gerald Vanenburg, the defense will feature a four-man setup comprising Dony Tri Pamungkas, Robi Darwis, Muhammad ferrari, and Brandon Scheunemann. This defensive unit aims to provide a solid foundation for the team’s ambitions.

As hosts and with a historically strong performance record in regional tournaments, the Indonesian U-23 team enters the match as clear favorites. The squad will be looking to secure a positive result from the outset to build momentum throughout the championship.

Starting Lineups: Indonesia U-23 vs. Brunei U-23

Indonesian National Team: Muh Ardiansyah (GK); Muhammad Ferrari (C), Dony Tri Pamungkas, Brandon Scheunemann, Achmad Maulana; Robi Darwis, Toni Firmansyah, rayhan Hannan, Arkhan Fikri; Rahmat Arjuna, Jens Raven.

Brunei Darussalam National Team: Khairul Hisyam (GK); Azrin Danial, Irfan Abdullah, Nazry Azaman; Danisyh Syariee, Wafiq Danish, Hafiy Herman, Ali Munawwar, haziq Naqiuddin Saymra; Syafiq Hilmi; Bazli Aminuddin.

Okay, this is a good start to a scouting report comparing Indonesian and Bruneian football players. Here’s a continuation and expansion of the positional breakdown, along with some additional sections to make it a more extensive analysis. I’ll aim for detail and actionable insights for scouts. I’ll also add a section on potential transfer targets and areas for collaboration.

National Team Overviews: Key Strengths & Weaknesses

Analyzing player composition for Indonesian and Brunei national football teams requires understanding their distinct developmental pathways and tactical preferences. This report breaks down key aspects for scouts, coaches, and analysts focusing on Southeast Asian football. We’ll cover typical player profiles,positional strengths,and emerging trends.

Indonesia: A Rising Force in Southeast Asian Football

Indonesia’s player pool is characterized by a growing number of players competing in Liga 1, the nation’s top-tier league. This increased domestic competition is driving up the overall quality.

Dominant Positions: Attacking midfielders and wingers are consistently strong, reflecting a historically attacking style of play. Players like Pratama Arhan (left-back with excellent set-piece delivery) demonstrate emerging talent in traditionally weaker areas.

Typical Player Profile: technically gifted,often smaller in stature,with a focus on dribbling and rapid passing. Physicality can be a relative weakness, though improvements are being seen with increased professionalization.

Key Attributes to Scout: Dribbling ability, passing range, creativity, speed, and work rate. Look for players agreeable in 1v1 situations.

Recent Trends: Increased focus on tactical adaptability. Shin Tae-yong, the current national team coach, has implemented a more structured and defensively sound approach.

Brunei: Building a Foundation for the Future

Brunei’s football program is undergoing important investment and development.while historically less competitive,they are showing signs of progress.

Dominant Positions: Currently, Brunei relies heavily on players with experience in the domestic league, DST Premier League. Central midfielders who can dictate tempo are crucial.

Typical Player Profile: Generally physically stronger than Indonesian players, but often lacking the same level of technical finesse. Emphasis on direct play and set-piece opportunities.

Key Attributes to Scout: Physical strength, aerial ability, tackling, work rate, and leadership qualities.

recent Trends: Increased investment in youth development programs. Focus on building a more cohesive team spirit and improving tactical awareness.

Positional Breakdown: Identifying Key Player Types

This section details the typical player characteristics found in each position for both nations.

Goalkeepers

Indonesia: Goalkeepers are improving, with a growing number receiving professional training. Expect good reflexes but potential inconsistency in distribution.

Brunei: Goalkeeping is an area needing significant improvement. Focus on finding keepers with strong command of their area and good shot-stopping ability.

Defenders

Indonesia: Central defenders are frequently enough quick and comfortable on the ball, but can be vulnerable to physical battles. Full-backs are increasingly attacking-minded.

Brunei: Defenders tend to be more robust and defensively solid, but may lack the technical ability to build from the back.

Midfielders

Indonesia: Creative attacking midfielders are abundant. Defensive midfielders are often smaller and rely on interceptions and pressing.

Brunei: central midfielders are the engine of the team, responsible for winning the ball and distributing it effectively. Box-to-box midfielders are highly valued.

Forwards

Indonesia: Wingers are typically fast and skillful, capable of beating defenders 1v1. Strikers vary in profile, from poachers to target men.

Brunei: strikers frequently enough rely on physical strength and aerial ability. Wingers are expected to contribute defensively.

Scouting Considerations: Liga 1 & DST Premier League

Understanding the league structures is vital for effective scouting.

Liga 1 (Indonesia)

Scouting Challenges: the league can be physically demanding, and match footage quality can vary.

Key Clubs to Watch: Persib Bandung, Persija Jakarta, Arema FC, and Madura United consistently produce national team players.

Emerging Talents: Keep an eye on young players breaking through at thes clubs.

DST premier League (Brunei)

Scouting Challenges: Limited professional infrastructure and smaller player pool.

Key Clubs to Watch: DPMM FC (often competing in the Singapore Premier League) and Kasuka FC are the most established clubs.

Focus Areas: identifying players with potential for development and those with strong leadership qualities.

Tactical Adaptations & Player Roles

Both Indonesia and Brunei are increasingly adapting their tactics to compete at the regional level.

Indonesia: Transitioning towards a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, emphasizing possession-based football and quick transitions. Key roles include the regista (deep-lying playmaker) and the inside forward.

Brunei: Often employs a more pragmatic 4-4-2 or 4-5-1 formation, focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacking opportunities. Key roles include the defensive midfielder and the target man.

Benefits of Focusing on Indonesian & Brunei Talent

Undervalued Market: Both nations represent relatively untapped talent pools compared to other Southeast Asian countries.

affordability: Player acquisition costs are generally lower than in more established footballing nations.

Potential for Growth: With increased investment in football development, the potential for player gratitude is significant.

Practical Tips for Scouts

Network with Local Agents: Building relationships with agents