BRI Indonesia LKG's Initial Steps Towards Gothia Cup 2025

TANGERANG SELATAN, KOMPAS – Five months ahead of the Gothia Cup 2025, which will be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from July 13-19, the formation of the LKG BRI Indonesia team has begun. The first selection phase, involving 24 of the best players from the Kompas U-14 League Powered by BRI 2024-2025, was conducted on Sunday (February 9, 2025), at the Kera Sakti Field, South Tangerang, Banten.

The selection guided by Team 11, the talent scouts of Liga Kompas, will be held in three stages. After the first stage is completed, the second and third stages will each include 11 different players. The LKG BRI Indonesia squad that will participate in the 50th edition of the Gothia Cup consists of 18 players.

The first stage of the selection series focuses on observing the performance of the players in a game that consists of three rounds, each lasting 20 minutes. A total of 24 teams are divided into two groups wearing red and yellow vests.

The three-act game, interspersed with a five-minute break, is intended to assess the potential of players beyond their weekly performance in this season's Liga Kompas.

Although they are only 14 years old with very good physical condition, some players were exhausted playing with high intensity in those three rounds. In the first round, two goals were scored by the yellow team through the brilliant finishing of the winger from Babek Soccer School, Rayina Pamungkas.

However, the quality of play declined in the next two halves. The red and yellow teams were each only able to produce one shot on target. The condition worsened significantly in the final half, as the best opportunity came only through a shot by the yellow team's midfielder, Aldo Julian Ajri. The player from Persigawa released a shot that hit the crossbar.

Not only did the quantity of opportunities decrease drastically, but four players also had to end the match early due to cramps. This indicates that their physical condition is still not ideal for competing in the Gothia Cup 2025.

In the Gothia Cup, titled the "Youth World Cup," the LKG BRI Indonesia team will play at least two matches per day in the Boys U-15 category. Each match lasts 2 x 30 minutes.

Dede Sulaeman, a member of Team 11, said that through the first selection, a shadow team for the 11 main players of the “Kera Sakti” squad had been formed. Dede, a player on the Indonesian national team in the 1980s, said that the second and third stages of selection could perfect the team to compete in the 2025 Gothia Cup.

"We have found eleven shadow players for the main team. Next, we will look for reserve players who are expected to be of equal quality, so that the LKG BRI team has good squad depth," said Dede.

Furthermore, Dede revealed, the first stage of selection also showed the weaknesses of the majority of players. The players' stamina, he added, must be improved.

When the Kera Sakti squad has been formed with a strength of 18 players, they are scheduled to carry out training and a training camp for 40 days before departure in July.

Not only tactical training on the green field, the LKG BRI team will also be boosted in stamina to practice middle-distance running in the hilly area. The players are also scheduled to undergo a gym session to increase their strength and muscle mass.

"Their stamina and physical condition should be the focus. I am sure that 40 days of intensive preparation is enough for the players to perform optimally in the real tournament," said Dede.

In addition to physical issues, during the second half break, Dede also gave instructions to a number of defenders to be braver in building up from the defensive line.

The center backs, including Abdullah Husai Putra (Young Warrior) and Dek Mang Pamungkas (Persigawa), still often release long passes that are directed to the forwards. Unfortunately, the long passes are not accurate, so that possession of the ball moves to the opposing team.

"This is also our note to the coaches (Liga Kompas) to instruct their players to be braver in starting attacks from below. The appearance of the players (in the selection) is certainly influenced by their tactical strategy at the club," he said.

Julian admitted that his performance was still not optimal in the first selection. Wearing the number 10 vest in the red team, Julian actually presented a pretty good playmaker role.

As a player who plays at the heart of the game, his decision-making is commendable. Julian can decide the right situation to dribble and control the ball for longer, then release a one-touch pass to relieve the pressure of the opponent.

"I feel like I can still do better than today because I should be able to help the team's attack better. In addition, I also have to improve my stamina because I felt cramps since the second half," said Julian, who idolizes Toni Kroos.

Rayina also agreed with Julian. She admitted that she had to improve her physical condition so that she could perform consistently throughout the rounds.

"I also have to build better chemistry with my new teammates. This is my first chance to play with them. Hopefully I can appear in the Gothia Cup," said Rayina, who has scored eight goals in the Kompas League this season.