One Week Training Camp, BRI Indonesia LKG Players Undergo Simulation of Conditions in Gothia Cup

BOGOR, KOMPAS — The implementation of a training camp for the LKG BRI Indonesia team for one week in Citeko, Bogor Regency, West Java, from June 16 to 23, 2025, has helped players and coaches gain an understanding of their conditions ahead of the Gothia Cup 2025. Factors such as fitness, weather, food, and game plans have been prepared to face the "youth world cup" in Sweden, scheduled for July 13 to 19.

Training with high intensity and focus twice a day for seven days, followed by a schedule of four trial games, provided valuable lessons for the 18 players of LKG BRI Indonesia born in 2010-2011. The players have begun to acclimate to the cool climate with an average temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius present in the Citeko area.

However, they are extremely fatigued after entering the third day of the training camp. One by one, players are experiencing physical issues, preventing them from participating in the trial match.

Attacking midfielder, Lutfi Helmi Hanafi, became the first player to suffer an injury. He has been unable to compete and has only been undergoing light training since Saturday (21/6/2025).

In the final trial match during the training camp period against Cipta Cendikia, which consists of players born in 2008-2009, on Monday (23/6/2025), at Ayo Arena Field, Sentul, Bogor, another midfielder, M Hazwan Haidar, could only play for about 15 minutes.

The collision that struck the knee caused the player from Persigawa to be unable to continue the game. He struggled to walk due to the pain in his knee, which had already been felt during the friendly match on Sunday (22/6/2025) against SSB Bromelia Bogor.

The forward, M Akbar Ramadhan, was unable to continue playing in the second half due to pain in his right shoulder after falling as a result of a tackle from an opponent. In the match, which lasted for 3 × 30 minutes, Akbar remained on the bench during the second half.

After receiving treatment with ice compresses, Akbar was finally able to be substituted in the third round. As a result, he scored one goal and provided an assist for Dimas Anggara's goal. LKG BRI Indonesia led 3-2. One goal was scored by midfielder Radithya Javas Nugraha in the first round.

"I am still a bit sore because I fell to avoid a tackle from an opponent. This training camp is a lesson for me and my teammates to prepare ourselves for the Gothia Cup later. It is certainly tiring, but we know that nothing is easy when it comes to becoming champions," said Akbar, who scored in three out of four friendly matches.

Head Coach of LKG BRI Indonesia, Tb Wahyudin Syah, revealed that there are seven players experiencing physical difficulties during the training camp. According to him, the duration of rest and recovery for the players will be crucial during the competition at the Gothia Cup 2025.

"The stamina of each individual player is very good based on their VO2 max. I and coach Eddy (assistant coach) will try to maximize their rest and match rhythm so that all players can stay fit in Sweden later," said Wahyu.

"Laskar Kera Sakti", the nickname of LKG BRI Indonesia which refers to the location of their match in the Kompas U-14 League Powered by BRI 2024-2025, is included in Group 29 of the Boys 15 category of the 2025 Gothia Cup. Two host teams, namely AFC Eskilstuna and Ojersjo IF, as well as the English club, Prep Schools District, will be the challengers to compete for tickets to the playoff A knockout phase.

The qualifying matches will take place from July 14 to July 16. Before competing, LKG BRI Indonesia had the honor of representing Indonesia at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Gothia Cup, which is the 50th edition, at Ullevi Stadium, Gothenburg, on Sunday (13/6/2025) evening local time.

One issue that often becomes a hurdle for the best teams in the Liga Kompas U-14 during the Gothia Cup is the suitability of food. Indonesian teenage players find it difficult to adapt to meals without rice.

During the training camp, the players only had the opportunity to eat rice for two days. Rice was available during the first two days of the training camp. After that, the food menu did not include rice. Instead, carbohydrate content was provided through potatoes, corn, and whole wheat bread.

Several players find it difficult to eat without rice. Nevertheless, they admit to starting to force themselves to get used to eating without rice in order to perform at their best in the Gothia Cup 2025.

M Fauzan Alhadar, a winger, stated that he has been able to adapt to the food menu that they will consume while in Sweden. He also promised to minimize his rice intake as much as possible in the two weeks leading up to the team's departure on Friday, July 11.

"This week I have been comfortable not eating rice, so I no longer want to depend on rice in order to get used to the food in Sweden. Eating potatoes is similar to eating sweet potatoes in my village," said Fauzan, a player from Villa 2000 who hails from Ternate, North Maluku.

Before departing for Sweden, the LKG BRI Indonesia team still has one trial agenda. The U-16 Persija team, which is being prepared to participate in the Elite Pro Academy 2025, will be the final opponent for Laskar Kera Sakti on Saturday (28/6/2025) at the Persija Training Center field, Sawangan, Depok, West Java.