LKG BRI Indonesia Sharpens Alternative Player Positions

BOGOR, KOMPAS — Competing in the 2025 Gothia Cup held in Gotheburg, Sweden, requires each team to be able to utilize the limited 18 players available, especially the 16 outfield players, aka non-goalkeepers. This condition makes the LKG BRI Indonesia team hone the alternative positions of the players so that they can occupy two positions that are completely foreign to them.

Training to test players in new positions took place during the second training session of the LKG BRI Indonesia training camp on Tuesday (17/6/2025) at the Bromelia Sport Center, Bogor Regency, West Java. An extreme change was made by switching attacking players to defensive positions, and vice versa.

All players were trained in a game simulation of 4x15 minutes while taking on different tasks and positions. Offensive players, such as M Fadlan, M Fauzan Al Hadar, and Rayina Pamungkas, were assigned the role of defenders. Fauzan and Rayina experienced some nervousness in fulfilling their defensive roles and struggled to contest the ball from the opponents.

This is certainly different from what they experience at their respective clubs in the Liga Kompas U-14 Powered by BRI 2024-2025. Fauza plays as a winger at Villa 2000, while Rayina is a winger at Babek Soccer School. Rayina's collection of 15 goals has been the key for Babek in becoming the champion of the Liga Kompas this season.

In maintaining a defensive position, Fauzan and Rayina received several shouts to be bolder in contesting the ball from Asep Padian and Yani Muhammad Yamin, who are members of Team 11.

The Team 11 consists of analyst staff at the U-14 Kompas League and talent scouts for the formation of the "Laskar Kera Sakti" squad, a designation for LKG BRI Indonesia that refers to the location of the U-14 Kompas League competition in 2024-2025 at the Kera Sakti Stadium, South Tangerang, Banten.

Throughout this season's U-14 Kompas League, Fauzan and Rayina have been very limited in performing defensive duties for their respective teams. They are players who solely focus on executing the team's offensive scheme.

For example, Fauzan recorded only four successful tackles out of nine attempts, then three clearances, won only two one-on-one defensive duels, and did not make a single interception.

On the other hand, Rayina, who is the top scorer of the Kompas U-14 League 2024-2025, managed to execute only six successful tackles out of 14 attempts, recorded two clearances, two interceptions, and only engaged in three one-on-one duels in situations without the ball.

"It's hard (to play defensively). Plus the pitch is slippery," said Rayina about her impression of playing as a defender.

Asep stated that the players of LKG BRI Indonesia must improve their collective performance. Forwards cannot solely rely on their teammates in situations without the ball and during defense. Strikers, he added, must also be able to act as the first line of defense to pressure the opponents early on.

"If in their respective clubs, Fauzan and Rayina have an attacking rate of 80 percent and only 20 percent for defense, then the percentage of defense must be increased. They are not trained to be defenders, but they must understand the defensive role to regain possession of the ball from the opponent," said Asep during the training camp.

From routine training and five trials that have been conducted since April, Laskar Kera Sakti has a potential crisis in the center forward position when competing in the Gothia Cup 2025. Only M Akbar Ramadhan has been able to perform consistently in the center forward position.

Dependence on a single player will be very dangerous in the Gothia Cup. This is because LKG BRI Indonesia has the opportunity to play two matches each day. Additionally, the characteristics of the opponents faced are varied in the tournament referred to as the "youth world cup."

In the qualifying round, LKG BRI Indonesia will compete against two host representatives, Ojersjo IF 1 and AFC Eskilstuna, as well as the English representative, Prep Schools District, in Group 29 Boys 15. Laskar Kera Sakti, which is the only Indonesian representative in that category, will compete with 249 teams from 30 countries.

To be an alternative forward, LKG BRI Indonesia tried Babek SS's left wing back, Dimas Anggara, to be a fast and clinical center forward. Then, Persigawa's center back, Puma Nandhito, was also tried as a poacher. Puma's height became an important asset when LKG BRI Indonesia needed an attack strategy with crosses in the air.

The selection of both was not without reason. Dimas and Puma have shown a good goal instinct during the 2024-2025 U-14 Kompas League. Dimas was able to score six goals, while Puma scored two goals.

"We must utilize the potential of players who are quite capable in attacking. Their roles will be very useful for making rotations and seeking alternatives in various match situations at the Gothia Cup," said Asep.

Meanwhile, adjustments were also made in the heart of the game. Lutfi Helmi Hanafi, who is generally positioned as a defensive midfielder and forward in Oneway SS, was designated to take on the role of attacking midfielder.

His ability to understand space in the midfield and deliver accurate progressive passes is an important asset for becoming the driving force of the Laskar Kera Sakti's attack. According to the records of this season's U-14 Kompas League competition, Lutfi is the player with the highest number of successful passes, totaling 293 passes.

As a culmination of the intensive training results during the initial two days of the training camp ahead of the Gothia Cup 2025, LKG BRI Indonesia will face the Dewa United academy team on Wednesday (18/6/2025) morning. The location of the match is at the Dewa United Training Center, Megamendung, Bogor Regency.