The Indonesia Women’s National Team, affectionately known as Garuda Pertiwi, faced a daunting start to their SEA Games 2025 campaign in Group A, suffering a resounding defeat. In their opening match against regional powerhouse Thailand at Chonburi Stadium on Thursday, December 4, Indonesia was overwhelmed, succumbing to an 8-0 loss.
This heavy defeat marked a particularly challenging moment for the Indonesian squad, as it surpassed the margins of their previous encounters where they were also largely outmatched. Notably, during the AFF Women’s Cup 2025, the team—then featuring Reva Octaviani and her teammates without naturalized players—lost 7-0 to both Thailand and Vietnam, making this recent performance against Thailand even more stark.
Following the difficult match, interim coach Akira Higashiyama addressed the media, emphasizing his team’s earnest efforts while acknowledging the undeniable superiority of their opponents. “Thailand is a very strong team. We tried our best, but still lost. This is the reality, and we have to accept this result,” Akira stated during the post-match press conference, reflecting on the challenging encounter.
Despite this significant setback, Indonesia’s hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the SEA Games 2025 women’s football tournament are not entirely extinguished. The upcoming clash against Singapore, scheduled for Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 PM WIB (Western Indonesian Time), now looms as a pivotal fixture that will ultimately determine the fate of Garuda Pertiwi.
Regarding preparations for this crucial match, Higashiyama affirmed that the team remains steadfastly focused. Efforts are being maximized for recovery and thorough evaluation to address the weaknesses exposed in their opening game. “Our situation is quite difficult right now, but if we can win against Singapore, we can still qualify. So we will try our best,” he asserted, highlighting the team’s determination.
Finally, Akira extended a heartfelt message to the dedicated supporters who continue to back the Indonesia Women’s National Team in this year’s SEA Games. “A loss is still a loss, this is my responsibility. However, we still have two days until the next match. I will try my best, with prayer, and we want to deliver a victory for the Indonesian supporters,” Akira concluded, conveying his commitment to turning the team’s fortunes around for their loyal fans.
Summary
The Indonesia Women’s National Team, Garuda Pertiwi, suffered a heavy 8-0 defeat against regional powerhouse Thailand in their opening match of the SEA Games 2025. This loss, which occurred at Chonburi Stadium, was more significant than previous encounters. Interim coach Akira Higashiyama accepted the result, acknowledging Thailand’s strength and taking responsibility for the outcome.
Despite this challenging start, Indonesia still holds a chance to qualify for the semifinals, with their next match against Singapore being pivotal. The team is now focused on recovery and thorough evaluation to prepare for this crucial fixture. Coach Higashiyama expressed the team’s determination to secure a victory for their supporters.