“Young Garuda” Commemoration, Road to U-17 World Cup Not Easy

The Indonesian U-17 team is set to begin their campaign in the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup with their opening match against South Korea on Friday (4/4/2025) at Prince Abdullah al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Unlike their six previous participations, the "Young Garuda" is pursuing a major ambition to secure a ticket to the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

The team coached by Nova Arianto is grouped in Group C alongside South Korea, Yemen, and Afghanistan. On paper, the result of the first match against South Korea, nicknamed the "Taegeuk Warriors," will be crucial for Indonesia's hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals.

Unlike the previous U-17 World Cup, which included only the four best teams from Asia, starting from the Qatar 2025 edition, Asia will be represented by eight contestants. This means that teams reaching the quarterfinals will already qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar this coming November.

"South Korea is the strongest opponent in the group," said Nova in a press statement about the competitors in the preliminary round.

Without disregarding the strength of Yemen and Afghanistan, South Korea is the only team in Group C that has experienced winning the U-17 Asian Cup title. They claimed the trophy in Asia's most junior inter-country tournament in 1986 and 2002.

South Korea has consistently reached the main stage of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in the last six editions since Iran 2012. In fact, in their last two participations, namely Malaysia 2018 and Thailand 2023, South Korea managed to advance to the semifinals. Their achievement of reaching the final four allowed South Korea to compete in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Brazil 2019 and Indonesia 2023.

In addition, the South Korea U-17 team is still coached by Coach Baek Ki-tae, who secured a silver medal in Thailand 2023 and participated in the 2023 U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.

It is easier to understand the chances of Garuda Muda against South Korea compared to the other two teams, Yemen and Afghanistan. Indonesia will face Yemen on April 4, followed by a duel against Afghanistan on the final day of the group stage, April 10.

Many parties are favoring Indonesia to overcome Yemen and Afghanistan. However, the position of the two teams in the draw pot is better than Indonesia, Yemen in the second pot and Afghanistan in the third pot, not without reason.

Despite the unfavorable socio-political conditions, Yemeni teenagers were able to lead their team to qualify for the U-17 Asian Cup four times in a row. Yemen has always appeared in the U-17 Asian Cup since India 2016.

Knocked out in the preliminary rounds in India 2016 and Malaysia 2018, Yemen improved in Thailand 2023, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since United Arab Emirates 2002.

Yemen qualified for Saudi Arabia 2025 as Group I winners. They beat Vietnam in the qualifying round held in Viet Tri, Vietnam.

Zahaby Gholy and his friends also need to be wary of Afghanistan. The Central Asian team qualified for the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup as Group B winners. Afghanistan has a perfect record in four matches, including defeating two Southeast Asian teams, the Philippines and Cambodia.

After undergoing training in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the team is ready to face the real battle mentally and tactically.

In the qualifying phase, Afghanistan scored 23 goals. The goal productivity record was only beaten by Tajikistan (38 goals) and Thailand (24 goals). No wonder, it was Afghanistan's best record in the pre-Asian U-17 Cup round.

By appearing in Saudi Arabia 2025, Afghanistan has also always penetrated the final round of the U-17 Asian Cup in three consecutive editions. The trend of Afghan teenagers appearing in Asian events began in Malaysia 2018.

Their performance in the previous two editions also showed an improving record. After always losing in three qualifying games in the 2018 edition, Afghanistan was able to collect one win in Thailand 2023.

Nova said his team was ready to face various match situations in the group phase. According to him, the player material for the 17-year-old team is still equivalent, so mental readiness is the most influential factor in the team's performance in the prestigious tournament.

"After undergoing training in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the team is ready to face the real fight mentally and tactically," said Nova.

In the face of three tough opponents, Indonesia has quite good capital. Since undergoing intensive training since the end of February, then undergoing a training camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Nova's team completed it with two trial games.

They defeated China 1-0 and drew 2-2 against the UAE. Indonesia's preparation for the U-17 Asian Cup was closed by holding final preparations in Jeddah since March 28. Garuda Muda had undergone a final trial which ended in a 0-2 defeat to Iran.

Matthew Baker, Indonesia U-17 fullback, agreed with Nova regarding the team's condition that is ready for battle. According to him, the preparation of the Garuda Muda squad has been very good.

"We know it will be a tough match in the Asian Cup. However, we are confident that we can get a positive result," said Matthew, who plays for Melbourne City.

Nova is unlikely to change much of the line-up compared to the three U-17 Asian Cup qualifying games last October. The 3-4-3 tactic that can transform into a 5-4-1 when defending will be back in Jeddah.

Under the crossbar, Dafa Al Gasemi is likely to be placed. The center back trio can be filled by Putu Panji, Dafa Zaidan, and Fabio Azka. In the wing back sector, Matthew and Daniel Alfredo, have the opportunity to appear from the start. The two central midfielders will present performances from Evandra Florasta and Nazriel Alfaro.

The number nine position will still be occupied by Mierza Firjatullah, a former Asiana player in the 2023-2024 Kompas U-14 League. Mierza will be supported by Persija Jakarta's new icon candidate, Zahaby Gholy, who wears number seven, and Fadly Alberto.

The road to the 2025 U-17 World Cup will not be easy. Similar to Indonesia, the three competitors in Group C also have a target of qualifying for the quarter-finals in order to appear in Qatar, this November.

However, with the quality of the players they have and the adequate preparation period, Indonesia is rightly targeted to qualify for the world stage. One thing is for sure, Nova and his assistants must also be able to eliminate non-technical obstacles so that the Garuda Muda squad is not burdened with the target of qualifying for the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

"We support and pray that the Indonesian U-17 national team can give their best and bring Garuda to the world stage," said PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir.

Good luck, Young Garuda…