Following a Smooth Adaptation, BRI Indonesia's LKG Confidently Faces the 2025 Gothia Cup

GOTHENBURG, KOMPAS — The LKG BRI Indonesia team took advantage of the weather and field adaptation period during the week of Sunday (13/7/2025). Starting Monday (14/7/2025), the competition in the Gothia Cup 2025 will commence, beginning with the first match of the qualifying round and the opening ceremony.

"The Laskar Kera Sakti" played their first match in Group 29 of the Boys15 (B15) Gothia Cup 2025 against the host team, AFC Eskilstuna, on Monday at 16:50 WIB, at Kviberg 14 Field, Kvibergsvagen, in the city of Gothenburg.

LKG BRI Indonesia will compete in two matches at the Kviberg Arena, which has 22 fields. This area is the center for the most matches in the Gothia Cup 2025, as there is no other competition complex with more than 10 fields.

In addition to the opening match, LKG BRI Indonesia will also play the final game of Group 29 in Kviberg, specifically on court 15.

If they advance to the knockout stage as the champion of Group 29, Laskar Kera Sakti will play their first two matches of the knockout phase also at Kviberg. The 64th round matches will take place at Kviberg Field 25, followed by the 32nd round which will be held at Kviberg Field 21. These two matches are scheduled for Thursday (17/7/2025).

In the adaptation process, 18 players from LKG BRI Indonesia visited the Kviberg Field complex on Sunday. They familiarized themselves with the field by walking around it and engaged in light training with the ball.

Field introductions were not only conducted for Kviberg Field 14 for the first match, but also carried out for three other fields that have a significant potential to become venues for the best players of the Liga Kompas U-14 Powered by BRI for the 2023-2024 season.

"I am eager to play. The field is great. I hope we can perform well and achieve victory here (Kviberg)," said defensive midfielder M Hazwan Haidar, while walking in the Kviberg Arena.

Hazwan is determined to play without blemish. The coaching staff provided Hazwan with notes due to receiving a yellow card during the friendly match against Dewa United U-16 and Persija Jakarta U-15.

"I will play more carefully so as not to harm the team," said Hazwan, who comes from Persigawa.

A similar statement was made by Fazil Darvesh, the goalkeeper. He stood in each goal on the four fields visited by the Laskar Kera Sakti squad in Kviberg.

Fazil and fellow goalkeeper Fikri Pratama Gunawan also jumped to test the goal's height, attempting to reach the crossbar.

"The surface of the field around the goal helps us to act in guarding the goal," said Fazil, who represents Oneway Soccer School in the Kompas U-14 League 2024-2025.

In addition to the Kviberg Arena, LKG BRI Indonesia also visited the location of the second match, namely Vallhamra Field, Savedalen, Gothenburg.

Unlike the Kviberg Arena, which can be reached by tram, getting to Vallhamra requires combining a journey with a tram from the city center to the residential area, which is approximately 25 minutes away.

Head Coach of LKG BRI Indonesia, Tb Wahyudin Syah, added that his players also underwent conditioning training on Sunday morning local time. The players were given a running training regimen in the field surrounding the team dormitory at Gomlestadsskolan, a primary school in Gothenburg.

He stated that all the players were in good condition. Wahyu was confident that everyone was ready for the first match.

"There are no obstacles faced by the players one day before the match in the Gothia Cup 2025. I hope all the preparations made so far can be executed well by the players in the actual match," said Wahyu.

In addition to several teams conducting field trials at Kviberg, the referees and assistant referees of the Gothia Cup 2025 also held a final briefing at Kviberg. Dozens of match officials received different briefings.

Referees are generally provided with an understanding of positioning as well as simulations for decision-making during matches. Meanwhile, assistant referees are tested on their accuracy in raising the flag, as well as their positioning in accordance with the direction of the ball during the game.

In addition, the players are also preparing to present an Indonesian atmosphere at the opening ceremony, which will take place at Ullevi Stadium on Monday at 20:00 local time or Tuesday (15/7/2025) at 00:00 WIB.

The traditional Balinese costume worn will be complemented by singing popular songs currently in Indonesia. Several songs that will be performed by the participants during the opening ceremony parade include "Gemu Fa Mi Re," "Rungkad," and "Stecu Stecu."

The parade will commence with all participating contingents from 74 countries in the Heden area, which serves as the center of activities for the Gothia Cup 2025. The organizing office, media center, information area, souvenir shops, entertainment venues, restaurants, and playing fields are all available in Heden.

The contingents will walk approximately 600 meters from Heden to Ullevi Stadium. The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on the Gothia Cup application.

"If we look at the schedule, our agenda on Monday is already packed. However, we are very excited to participate in the Gothia Cup 2025 to represent Indonesia," said Milito Setiawan Sitompul, a defensive midfielder from Babek Soccer School, the champion of the Kompas U-14 League 2025-2026.

On Sunday, final preparations were also underway in the Heden area. The SKF Arena field was closed for the final arrangement of the stadium stands and field cleaning ahead of the first day of the match.

Around a dozen tents belonging to the sponsors of the Gothia Cup 2025 have opened and are accessible to visitors. Cafés offering coffee and snacks have also been opened.