Jakarta, Sept. 30 -- Indonesian soccer observer Mohamad Kusnaeni said Indra Sjafri is the right choice to lead the national U-23 team at the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, citing his track record with youth squads and familiarity with local talent.

"Indra has a unique ability to handle young players. He doesn't need much time to build a solid team," Kusnaeni told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) officially appointed Sjafri as head coach on Monday. He replaces Gerald Vanenburg, who struggled with limited preparation time ahead of recent tournaments.

Kusnaeni said the decision to rehire Sjafri was logical, given his past success with both U-19 and U-23 national teams. Sjafri also led Indonesi...