Before the match, LKG BRI Indonesia was the sole representative of the Red and White team at the 2025 Gothia Cup opening ceremony.

GOTHENBURG, KOMPAS — The BRI Indonesia LKG team was honored to represent Indonesia at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Gothia Cup on Sunday afternoon (July 13, 2025) local time (Western Indonesian Time) at Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg, Sweden. Traditional Balinese attire was the theme of the performance by the 18 best players of the 2024-2025 Kompas U-14 League Powered by BRI.

The Indonesian flag at the Gothia Cup 2025 is actually represented by five teams from different categories. LKG BRI Indonesia competes in the Boys 15 (B15) category.

Three other Indonesian teams were sent by SKF (Svenska Kullagerfabriken), one of the main sponsors of the Gothia Cup. They are SKF Papua Football Academy (Boys 14), SKF Academy Persib Cimahi (Boys 14), and SKF SDN Srengseng 01 (Girls 13). The other team is Special Olympics Indonesia-DKI Jakarta, which is competing in the Gothia Special Olympics Tournament category.

Despite the presence of five teams, including those brought by SKF, LKG BRI Indonesia received the privilege of attending the opening parade of the 50th edition of the Gothia Cup. Unlike previous editions, the organizers of the Gothia Cup 2025 promised a more grand and special entertainment presentation to welcome the half-century celebration of the "Youth World Cup."

In light of this situation, the selection of teams to represent 74 participating countries was conducted in a detailed and meticulous manner. The organizers opened team registration for the opening parade from April to early May. The LKG BRI Indonesia team also submitted a parade concept that included a presentation of themed attire.

The proposal was positively received by the organizers of the Gothia Cup 2025. The players of LKG BRI Indonesia will be on the field at the Ullevi Stadium during the opening ceremony, while the other teams will only watch the parade from the spectator stands.

Right-back Abdalrahman Yakoub Abd Alkaloti was chosen as the flag bearer for Indonesia at Ullevi Stadium. Abdurrahman's uniform will be different from his teammates'.

"I am proud and happy to have the honor at the opening ceremony. I hope our presence can contribute to the festivities and attract the attention of teams from other countries," said Abdalrahman during his arrival in Gothenburg, Saturday (12/7/2025) afternoon local time or evening Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

One more player will don a different costume. He is Muhammad Akbar Ramadhan, a forward, who will wear the costume of Hanoman, a character from wayang that takes the form of a white monkey.

"I have learned the characteristic movements of Hanoman to entertain. I can't wait to perform (on Sunday) tomorrow with my friends," said Akbar, who comes from the Cipta Cendikia Football School (SSB).

The Gothia Cup 2025 will award prizes to country representatives with the best parade costumes. One outstanding team will receive a prize in the form of a free registration for the Gothia Cup 2026.

Gothenburg has begun to welcome the contestants of the Gothia Cup 2025. Gamlestadsskolan, one of the primary schools in Gothenburg, is already on standby to prepare the needs of the participants of the Youth World Cup.

An administrative officer for the participants was already preparing in the school hall. He was assisted by two colleagues who were responsible for setting up sleeping equipment, such as mats.

The boys are in good form. Our target is to sweep them all aside and win all three group matches.

The LKG BRI Indonesia team was assisted by the three of them in preparing accommodation while participating in the Gothia Cup 2025 in one of the classrooms of the school. Specifically, 18 players and two coaches are staying in one classroom on the third floor.

On Saturday, only the LKG BRI Indonesia squad and one team from Kenya arrived. Dozens of other teams are set to begin occupying the classrooms of Gamlestadsskolan on Sunday (13/7/2025).

Meanwhile, Ullevi Stadium, the venue for the opening ceremony of the Gothia Cup 2025, which is the largest stadium in Gothenburg, is also starting to prepare. Colorful Gothia Cup banners have been installed at the corners of the streets and the corners of the stadium.

Although it will host the opening ceremony of the 50th edition of the Gothia Cup, which is claimed to be the grandest in history, the stadium arena is not experiencing closures like those in sports venues in Indonesia.

Residents are still free to engage in running and walking at the stadium that hosted the 1958 World Cup, on Saturday afternoon. Only the sounds of music and singing of popular songs, including "APT," could be heard, indicating a rehearsal for the opening ceremony agenda.

"The Laskar Kera Sakti" will begin their competition in the Gothia Cup 2025 on Monday (14/7/2025). The representative team of the host, AFC Eskilstuna, will be the first opponent for LKG BRI Indonesia in Group 29. The match will take place at 16:50 WIB at Kvilberg Field 14.

In the second match, LKG BRI Indonesia will challenge the representative from England, Prep Schools District, on Tuesday (15/7/2025) at 20:30 WIB, at Vallhamra IP Field. The final group stage match will be played against another representative from the host, Ojersjo IF, on Wednesday (16/7/2025) at 15:00 WIB, at Kviberg 15 Field.

"Alhamdulillah, the journey went smoothly. The children are in good condition. Our target is to ensure they can compete in three group stage matches with victories," said the Coach of the LKG BRI Indonesia Team, Tb Wahyudiansyah.

The knockout stage of the Gothia Cup 2025 will be held from Thursday (17/7/2025) to Saturday (19/7/2025). Specifically in this decisive phase, teams determined to win the championship must go through seven matches within those three days.

The situation demands that the coaching duo of LKG BRI Indonesia, Wahyu and Eddy, must carefully devise tactics and rotation strategies to maintain the squad's condition at an optimal level.