From Sumatra to Papua, Youth Women's Football is on the Rise

When the referee blew the long whistle signaling the end of the match, Jullysti Dayren Gianni Matui (16) could only bow her head. At the Supersoccer Arena Stadium in Kudus, Central Java, on Saturday (12/7/2025) afternoon, Jullysti then covered her face with her yellow jersey after the semifinal match between Papua and Tangerang.

The Papua team defender could not contain her sadness and disappointment after failing to advance to the finals of the national youth women's football tournament, the Hydroplus Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16 2025 All Stars. Jullysti and her teammates lost 0-1 to the Tangerang team.

Indeed, Jullysti stated, the Papua team arrived with great motivation to reach the top of the tournament and bring home the championship title. By achieving this accomplishment, they wanted to demonstrate that women's football in Papua can also shine on the national stage. Therefore, when the results did not meet expectations, the outcome felt painful.

"But I am still grateful because God has brought us this far, to the semifinals. We have been able to meet other opponents, compete, and experience what it feels like to play in a national tournament," said Jullysti.

Jullysti had actually previously been part of the Papua women's football team at the Aceh-Sumut PON 2024. However, this player from SSB Batik in Jayapura was never fielded. It was only in the Piala Pertiwi that Jullysti experienced playing at the national level.

Like Jullysti, other players from the Papua team in the Piala Pertiwi have also never experienced competing at the national level before. Therefore, even though they ultimately stopped in the semifinals, they remain happy for the opportunity to compete.

Papua is one of 16 teams competing in the 2025 All Stars U-14 and U-16 Piala Pertiwi. Ten teams come from cities on the island of Java, selecting their best players from the Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16 events held from April to June 2025. These teams include Jakarta, Tangerang, Bandung, Cirebon, Surakarta, Yogyakarta, Kudus, Malang, and Surabaya.

The other six teams come from regions outside of Java Island, selecting players through PSSI and their respective Provincial Associations. These six teams are North Sumatra, South Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali-Nusa Tenggara, and Papua.

Touskha Oktafia Stevelien Iba, assistant coach of the Papua team, stated that his team actually underwent a very short preparation period. They had only two effective days to train together before departing for Kudus to compete.

Touskha is grateful and pleased. Despite the less than ideal conditions, Papua managed to advance to the semifinals. They even became the undefeated team in the group stage, collecting three victories, including defeating the host Kudus 3-1.

"We cannot speak much about our targets moving forward because if there are not many tournaments, we are just training without purpose. We hope there will be more tournaments like this, especially in Papua. With tournaments like this, the potential of the players can be seen, and they also have the opportunity to compete," said Toushka.

In Papua, Toushka stated, female players are integrated into soccer schools that are predominantly composed of male players. They usually participate in male soccer tournaments. From this, the coaching team eventually discovers talents in women's soccer.

In addition to the men's football tournament, Toushka is also seeking players from the women's futsal tournament. Unlike football, women's futsal tournaments in Papua are numerous and regularly held. He hopes that the women's football tournament will be as lively as the women's futsal tournaments.

"So, the results here, given our limited tournaments and preparation, are already extraordinary. If there are more tournaments, we can train and test them so that their abilities might be on par with teams in Java. In terms of understanding the game, it can also develop," he added.

Like Papua, the North Sumatra team also expressed a similar hope. North Sumatra coach Agus Riyadi stated that if there were more women's football tournaments held there, the potential of players could be exposed and channeled.

So far, players have relied on regular matches held every week or every two weeks, which they refer to as "tarisan." Each team consists of players from all age groups. They compete against other teams in turn.

"In this Piala Pertiwi, for the first time, players are competing outside of Java and experiencing a national tournament with the same age group. They have the opportunity. Hopefully, this will be the beginning of a renewed push for women's football, especially outside of Java," said Agus.

Although it ultimately came to a halt, North Sumatra and Papua, as teams from outside Java Island, managed to advance to the semifinals. They both competed against teams from Java Island that had superior competitive experience or the availability of women's clubs.

Papua faces Tangerang, while North Sumatra competes against Bandung. North Sumatra also suffered a defeat, thus burying their dreams of appearing in the final match. North Sumatra lost 1-4 to Bandung.

Victor Hartono, the President Director of Djarum Foundation, which collaborates with PSSI and Hydroplus to organize the U-14 and U-16 Piala Pertiwi, stated that the competition in the semifinals opened the eyes of many to the fact that there are numerous female football talents in the country. This talent is not only concentrated on the island of Java but is also spread beyond Java.

"When they get the chance to perform, they can show abilities that are almost on par with teams from Java," said Victor.

"This shows that our country is blessed with many talents. They grow from Sabang to Merauke; it is just a matter of how they can get opportunities and how the national team can nurture them," said Victor, who is also committed to regularly supporting the Piala Pertiwi event.

The Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, stated that his party is attempting to reduce the disparity in quality between teams from Java and those from outside Java by intensifying the training programs. According to him, although PSSI has increased the number of coaches in the past two years, the number is still insufficient.

"We continue to encourage training and coaching for coaches. Otherwise, the quality of the team will not be on par. Seriousness in this aspect is important so that there begins to be a balance," he stated.

From the disappointment hidden behind the jersey, Jullysti and her teammates have sounded the drum of "resistance" that female football talent does not only grow in Java, but also flourishes from the land of Sumatra to Papua. With a platform and opportunities to showcase their skills, these talents will emerge, causing women's football to increasingly thrive throughout Indonesia.