Having already qualified for the knockout phase, LKG BRI Indonesia is determined to achieve perfection in the preliminary round.

GOTHENBURG, KOMPAS - The Group 29 qualifying round of the Gothia Cup 2025 was positively navigated by LKG BRI Indonesia. A 6-1 victory over the English representative, Prep Schools District, on Tuesday (15/7/2025) afternoon local time or evening WIB, secured six points from two matches.

In the B15 (Boys15) category match held at Vallhamra Field, Gothenburg, Sweden, the "Laskar Kera Sakti" positive collection was determined by the contribution of goals from a brace or two goals by Oksal Kristian Gani (9' and 19'). Then, one goal each contributed by Abdalrahman Yakoub (5'), Muhammad Akbar Ramadhan (10'), Rayina Pamungkas (21'), and M Fauzan Alhadar (27').

The Prep Schools District scored a consolation goal from a penalty executed by Alexander Tirvengadum. The referee pointed to the penalty spot due to LKG BRI Indonesia's goalkeeper, Fazil Darvesh, fouling an opposing player.

With a collection of six points, LKG BRI Indonesia has secured a ticket to the knockout stage, specifically the round of 128. However, the top position still needs to be determined in the final match against Ojersjo IF, Thursday (16/7/2025) at 15:00 WIB, at Kviberg 15 Field.

From the competition in Group 29, Laskar Kera Sakti is the only team that has accumulated six points. The two closest teams have three points each, namely Prep Schools District and AFC Eskilstuna.

In another match on Tuesday, Eskilstuna won the Swedish derby in Group 29. They defeated Ojersjo 3-0. As a result, Ojersjo is the only team without points in that group.

LKG BRI Indonesia only needed not to lose in the final game to maintain its position at the top of the final standings. The ranking determination for teams with an equal number of points in the group stage of the Gothia Cup 2025 is calculated based on the following criteria: goal difference, goal productivity, and head-to-head record.

After the second game, Laskar Kera Sakti accumulated a goal difference of 10 by scoring 11 goals and conceding one goal. Meanwhile, the two teams below Indonesia have a record of negative goal difference.

Eskilstuna recorded a goal difference of -2, while Prep Schools District had a goal difference of -4. Given this situation, only an impossibility would allow Laskar Kera Sakti to relinquish their position at the top of the standings. A significant defeat from Ojersjo, who still has no points, combined with either Eskilstuna or Prep Schools District winning decisively by a margin of more than 10 goals, would result in LKG BRI Indonesia dropping to second place.

The coach of LKG BRI Indonesia, Tb Wahyudin Syah, appreciated his team's consistency in maintaining performance. Although they were already leading by five goals in the first half, his players did not ease the pressure after the halftime break, which lasted approximately 17 minutes. The referee decided to postpone the second half due to heavy rain and lightning in the vicinity of the field.

"The children are enjoying their play. They are striving to keep pressing their opponents while in a favorable position. This positive momentum must be maintained," said Wahyu after the match.

Similar to the first match, the Laskar Kera Sakti squad faced no pressure at all from their opponents. Except for one mistake by Fazil, who attempted to challenge an opponent in a one-on-one situation, but in that instance, he ended up fouling the opponent inside his own penalty area.

The penalty opportunity at the end of the second half was the only shot produced by the English team in the match at Vallhamra. Meanwhile, LKG BRI Indonesia did not show any significant shortcomings in the 2 × 25-minute duration battle.

LKG BRI Indonesia appeared very dominant in the first half. This was showcased with the creation of four goals and five goals in the first half, during two matches of Group 29. However, the effectiveness of the attack significantly decreased after halftime.

In the match against Eskilstuna, for instance, the team only added two accurate shots compared to six shots on target in the first half. Meanwhile, against Prep Schools District, seven shots on target could only be converted into two accurate shots on the opponent's goal.

In addition to their attacking aspect, Laskar Kera Sakti still often falls victim to the opponent's long diagonal passes. Eskilstuna managed to take two shots thanks to this strategy. Meanwhile, Prep Schools District received a penalty opportunity due to the presence of a long pass that split the defense of LKG BRI Indonesia.

"These shortcomings will be used as evaluation material by the coaching team to help players improve their individual and team performance," said Wahyu.

In the second match, Wahyu and assistant coach, Eddy, attempted one of the tactics that had been prepared during the training camp in Ciseko, West Java, last June. The tactic involved positioning center-back, Puma Nandhito, as the number nine player or center forward. Puma took on this role in the last five minutes of the first half.

On the other hand, the second match also served as a redemption opportunity for winger M Fauzan Alhadar, who scored a goal at the beginning of the second half. Fauzan's initial penetration resulted in a penalty awarded due to a foul by the opposing defender.

Fauzan initially failed to convert a penalty as his shot was saved by the goalkeeper. However, the rebound was controlled by Dimas Anggara, who then provided a cross to Fauzan, allowing him to simply tap the ball into the net of Prep Schools District for the sixth time.

"Thank God, I was able to contribute to the team's victory with a goal. This gives me more motivation to play even better in the next match," said Fauzan.

Despite two victories, LKG BRI Indonesia must make improvements as they consistently received yellow cards in both matches. Fauzan received a yellow card against Eskilstuna, while Fazil received a warning in the match against Prep Schools District.