Flying High, “Young Garuda”...

The Indonesian U-17 team secured two victories in Group C of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup. These two optimal results were a 1-0 win against South Korea and a 4-1 win against Yemen. With these two victories, the "Young Garuda" became the fourth Asian representative in the 2025 U-17 World Cup in Qatar, this coming November.

The success of the team coached by Nova Arianto began with an efficient performance against South Korea. Despite losing in ball possession, Indonesia won the match through a penalty kick goal by Evandra Florasta in the second half's extra time.

In the second match, Indonesia also showed its best quality to defeat Yemen, 4-1. Garuda Muda followed Qatar (host), then Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan who have confirmed their appearance in the 2025 U-17 World Cup (Kompas.id, 8/4/2025). The result of the third match against Afghanistan, Thursday (10/4/2025), no longer has any effect on Indonesia so that Nova Arianto can rotate the squad.

Indonesia's qualification for the 2025 U-17 World Cup through the qualifiers differs from the time the junior "Red and White" team participated in the 2023 World Cup. At that time, Indonesia competed in the World Cup as the host nation. We had to accept being eliminated in the group stage after finishing third in Group A.

This time, the world football governing body, FIFA, has changed the World Cup format by increasing the number of participants from the original 24 teams to 48 teams. As a consequence, the number of representatives from Asia has risen to eight teams (plus Qatar as the host, making it nine). It is worth celebrating that Indonesia has become one of the eight Asian teams representing the region in the U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2025.

Observing the results of this team, we need to recognize that our young players are capable of competing at the Asian level. They have successfully undergone an evolution in playing style, yielding positive outcomes under the guidance of Nova Arianto.

Initially, during the AFF U-16 Cup 2024, Zahaby Gholy and his teammates played offensively, which resulted in failing to meet the championship target. The result-oriented playing style began to be introduced by Nova when the team competed in the qualification for the U-17 Asian Cup 2025 in October 2024.

Nova, a potential young tactician, needs to be given space to express his idealism and coaching program until the end of the Asian Cup and during the 2025 Qatar U-17 World Cup. Avoid interventions that interfere with the independence of the coaching team for the sake of Garuda Muda's soaring heights.

What should also not be forgotten is the tiered and sustainable football coaching. Coaching starting from U-12, U-14, U-17, to U-21, U-23, and seniors should be carried out professionally by PSSI. Quality coaching and competition are requirements for sustainable achievements.