The 2025 Pertiwi Cup All Stars, the pinnacle of competition for young female footballers

KUDUS, KOMPAS — After each region selected its best players, 16 teams from Java and outside Java competed in the Hydroplus Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16 2025 All Stars. This marks the peak of competition among young female footballers from various regions in Indonesia, as well as the beginning of their journey at the national level.

The success of the teams from Tangerang, North Sumatra, Papua, and Bandung in securing tickets to the semifinals of the U-14 and U-16 Piala Pertiwi 2025 All Stars marks that the tournament is about to find its champion. These teams advanced to the final four after winning their quarterfinal matches on Friday (11/7/2025) at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java.

"I am very proud, proud of the team (for making it to the semifinals). We play without knowing fatigue. We are aware that losing is painful, so we do not want to feel it again," said North Sumatra player, Oedaijah Oshoea Sarinah, after the 4-1 victory over Malang.

In the quarter-final match, North Sumatra had the status of runner-up of Group A so they met Malang, the winner of Group C. In three matches in the group stage, North Sumatra suffered one defeat from Jakarta, which ultimately topped Group A. For this reason, North Sumatra is trying not to achieve similar results in the knockout phase.

North Sumatra is one of 16 teams participating in the 2025 All Stars Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16. This event is the pinnacle tournament for young female footballers from 16 cities and regions from Java Island and outside Java Island, which will take place until Sunday (13/7/2025).

Each team consists of the best players from each city and region participating in the Hydroplus Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16 2025 from April to the end of June. Players from the 14 and 16-year age groups were selected from tournaments held in Tangerang, Bandung, Cirebon, Semarang, Surabaya, Kudus, Malang, Jakarta, Solo, and Yogyakarta. Additionally, there were also players selected from Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali-Nusra, Papua, North Sumatra, and South Sumatra.

"I do not burden them with the target of having to reach the semifinals, or anything like that. I only ask them to play according to the instructions, to understand that football is a process, it is hard work, it is practice," said North Sumatra coach, Agus Riyadi.

The presence of the U-14 and U-16 Piala Pertiwi fills the gap that previously existed in the women's football tournament levels. This gap arose because the development of women's football at the youth level has not been fully consistent and has still focused on the age group of 17 years and above.

In addition to the U-17 Pertiwi Cup that was held by PSSI, there is also a U-17 women's league. However, so far only the Bandung City Association of PSSI has organized it through the Bandung Women League U-17.

There are also efforts from the Surabaya City Football Association (PSSI) to launch a women's football competition titled the Surabaya Women's League. In its inaugural edition in 2024, this U-18 women's football tournament is participated by seven teams in the city of Surabaya.

Then, at the age level of 10-12 years, coaching has been actively promoted in the last three years. The Indonesian Women's Football Association (ASBWI), for example, held the ASBWI Cup U-15 National 2023 for one week. ASBWI has also organized several women's football festivals.

Since 2023, the Djarum Foundation has also initiated a girls' football tournament for the under-10 (U-10) and under-12 (U-12) age groups titled MilkLife Soccer Challenge. This series of tournaments has entered its third year, reaching eight cities on the island of Java.

This year, PSSI has finally partnered with Djarum Foundation and Hydroplus to fill the gap in tournaments and competitions at the youth level through the Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16. Thus, the tournament structure for the youth level is now complete. Players who previously participated in the 10-year-old and 12-year-old age groups now have a subsequent platform as they grow older.

In addition to providing a platform for young female footballers, the presence of the U-14 and U-16 Piala Pertiwi also facilitates the formation of the Indonesian women's football team, which will be prepared to participate in the 2025 AFF Women's U-16 Cup and the 2026 Women's U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers. To this end, each match is monitored by a talent scouting team appointed by PSSI. The national women's team coach, Satoru Mochizuki, was also present to observe the matches since Thursday (10/7/2025).

This means that the tournament serves as the pinnacle of competition for young female footballers and marks the beginning of their journey at the national level to strengthen their respective regions. From this tournament, they will also start to pursue their dreams of advancing to the next level, which is to represent Indonesia through the national team.

"Through this program, it is hoped that a more organized and sustainable coaching system will be established so that female football players can continue to develop through consistent and tiered competitions," said Program Director of Hydroplus Piala Pertiwi U-14 and U-16, Teddy Tjahjono.

The Chairman of PSSI, Erick Thohir, appreciates the organization of this age group tournament. Erick, who consistently emphasizes the importance of developing women's football from the grassroots level when asked about the presence of competitions in the form of leagues, hopes that the existence of this tournament will strengthen the foundation for the development of women's football.

The Pertiwi U-14 and U-16 All Stars matches utilized a single football field with a duration of 30 minutes per half and a 10-minute halftime. A total of 16 teams competed, divided into 4 groups, starting with the group stage matches, followed by the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and culminating in the final.

In addition to competing for the championship podium, second place, and semifinalists, there are also awards for individuals. These awards include the top goal scorer, best player, and best goalkeeper.