Heading to Sweden, LKG BRI Indonesia is chasing a new history in the Gothia Cup.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The LKG BRI Indonesia team will depart for Gothenburg, Sweden, on Friday (11/7/2025), to compete in the Gothia Cup 2025. A grand mission envelops the 18 best players of the Liga Kompas U-14 Powered by BRI for the 2024-2025 edition in pursuit of the championship trophy at the football tournament known as the "youth world cup."

The Kompas U-14 League has consistently sent its best teams to compete in the Gothia Cup since 2010. This edition also marks the first representative of Indonesia participating in the world's largest youth tournament, which was initiated in 1975.

The highest achievement attained by the Liga Kompas alumni team was recorded in 2013. At that time, the team, using the name ASIOP Apacinti SKF Indonesia, managed to reach the final round. Unfortunately, the ambition to bring home the gold medal in the B14 category (Boys 14) was thwarted as they lost in a penalty shootout to the representative from Slovenia, NK Krsko, with a score of 3-5.

At the Gothia Cup 2025, celebrated as a 50-year anniversary, LKG BRI Indonesia competes in the B15 category. The "Laskar Kera Sakti" squad will begin their competition by contesting in Group 29.

Two host teams from Sweden, AFC Eskilstuna and Ojersjo IF, along with the English representative, Prep Schools District, will pose three challenges for LKG BRI Indonesia in their quest to advance to the knockout stage. Three qualifying matches will take place from Monday to Wednesday (14-16/7/2025).

The team coached by the TB Wahyudin Syah and Eddy coaching duo must finish in the top two positions to qualify for the round of 64 playoff A. In the 2025 Gothia Cup, there are two playoff classes consisting of A and B. Specifically, playoff A is intended to pursue the real champion of each category.

The teams that finished third and fourth in the group stage can also still pursue the consolation trophy in the B playoffs. Similar to the A playoffs, the B playoffs competition starts from the round of 64 and continues through to the final.

"We've prepared as best we can. We've implemented the coaching program for regular training and training camps. We're ready to give our best for Indonesia," said Oksal Kristian Gani, attacking midfielder and captain of LKG BRI Indonesia, during the squad's send-off ceremony for the 2025 Gothia Cup, titled The Delegate Ceremony, on Wednesday (July 9, 2025), at BRILian Stadium, Jakarta.

At the event, parents and family representatives of the players also enlivened the occasion. They brought banners containing support for the LKG BRI Indonesia team. On the other hand, representatives from the sponsors of the Liga Kompas U-14 2024-2025 were also present, such as BRI, Ortuseight, Garudafood, Le Minerale, and the Sports Psychology Association.

During the training camp in Citeko, Bogor Regency, West Java, from June 16 to 23, LKG BRI Indonesia secured victories in friendly matches against the youth teams competing in the BRI Super League. The Laskar Kera Sakti defeated Dewa United U-16 with a score of 4-1, followed by a 3-1 victory against Persija Jakarta U-15.

Adi Prinantyo, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Kompas Daily (Kompas.id), considers the preparations of LKG BRI Indonesia to be sufficient to compete in the 2025 Gothia Cup. Intensive training has been carried out since last May after all players were honed in the Kompas U-14 League for 15 weeks. In addition, the team underwent training camps to perfect tactics, techniques, and improve the physical abilities of each individual player.

"The players possess abilities that are on par with opponents from Europe and South America, so in actual matches, the mental factor will be decisive. My hope is that all players do not feel inferior when facing any opponent," said Adi.

He added, "Coaches must also pay attention to techniques, tactics, and rotation strategies in every match. The team must maintain optimal conditions in Sweden in order to pursue the championship title," said Adi, who is also the Chairman of the Kompas U-14 League Committee.

BRI's Corporate Secretary Agustya Hendy Bernadi stated that BRI's support for the Liga Kompas U-14 is a tangible manifestation of its commitment to fostering sports development in the community. According to Hendy, BRI believes that early age competitions are the best platform for shaping future national players who will have careers in the league and contribute to the national team roster.

"A low profile and high results are our expectations. With the preparations we've made, we're confident, God willing, the BRI Indonesia LKG team has a chance of winning," said Hendy.

Bima Sakti, a national football legend, hopes that the 18 players of LKG BRI Indonesia will make the most of the opportunity to compete in the world stage of the Gothia Cup 2025. The experience of facing foreign teams in international tournaments, Bima continued, should be utilized by the young players to showcase their quality while also proving that Indonesian football is capable of competing on a global scale.

The former coach of the Indonesian U-17 team for the period of 2016-2023 revealed that Swedish football is built on a high level of discipline. He experienced this during a year of training with the Swedish team, Helsingborgs IF, in the early 1990s.

"You (the players of LKG BRI Indonesia) must be disciplined in your regular training, maintain proper rest, and pay attention to good nutrition. You are making sacrifices today for something in the future. Do not forget to also be consistent and focused in pursuing your dreams to bring honor to Indonesia," said Bima.

"One more thing: honor your parents. Make them proud with your achievements in Sweden," he continued.