Marselino Withdraws from SEA Games 2025, Indra Sjafri Quickly Seeks Replacement.

Indonesia's U-22 national team preparations for the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand suffered a major blow as Marselino Ferdinan was confirmed unavailable. The AS Trencin midfielder sustained a hamstring injury, forcing him to miss the tournament, despite being named in coach Indra Sjafri's final squad.

Indra delivered the news directly, explaining the current situation and confirming the coaching staff's swift action.

He stated that his team had communicated with AS Trencin's coach regarding Marselino Ferdinan's condition. The club could not release him due to the hamstring injury. 

"Therefore, we have prepared a replacement: Rifqi Ray Farandi from Persik Kediri, who is flying to Thailand today to join the squad," said Indra in his official statement on Wednesday, 4 December 2025.

Rifqi Ray Farandi will fly to Thailand to join the other players who have been in Chiang Mai since last week. 

Rifqi's inclusion is a crucial step because Marselino was a key figure in the squad. PSSI even stated the player was very eager to play for Garuda Muda before the injury altered those plans.

Loss of the Most Experienced Player

Marselino's absence has a significant impact given his track record. He has earned 37 caps with the senior Indonesian national team and was the most experienced player in this SEA Games squad. He had previously played in two SEA Games editions: 2021 Vietnam and 2023 Cambodia.

Besides Marselino, the final U-22 squad includes three other abroad players based in the Netherlands: Ivar Jenner (FC Utrecht), Dion Markx (TOP Oss), and Mauro Zijlstra (FC Volendam). All three have arrived in Thailand and are ready for the full preparation schedule.

Focus on the Group C Opener

Indonesia is in Group C and will begin their gold medal defense campaign against the Philippines on Monday, 8 December 2025 at 18.00 Western Indonesian Time (WIB), followed by a match against Myanmar on Friday (12/12) at the same time. Both matches will take place at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium.

"Currently, the team is undergoing intensive training in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We remain focused and are refining preparations and strategy ahead of the opening match against the Philippines," stated Indra.

Appreciation for Clubs Releasing Players

Alongside strategizing for Marselino's absence, Indra also expressed appreciation to PSSI and other parties who facilitated the availability of the abroad players.

"Additionally, thank you to the I.League and foreign clubs who have assisted in forming the squad for the 2025 SEA Games Team," he concluded.

With a revised composition and ongoing preparations, Indonesia's U-22 national team still carries the high ambition to defend their SEA Games gold medal, despite losing one of their best players.