FIFA U-17 World Cup Participants Profile 2023: Indonesia, Young Garuda Wants To Fly High

The U-17 Indonesian national team wants to achieve the best possible in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. (Doc. LOC WCU17/BRY)

JAKARTA - Indonesia's FIFA U-17 World Cup will be Indonesia's first appearance. And, Indonesia acted as the host of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Garuda Muda wants to fly high with the support of supporters.

Indonesia is not a leading team. But that doesn't mean the Red and White team just gave up and became a joy in the midst of a football party being held at home.

The Bima Sakti coach is certainly not burdened with being a champion. But Bima still realizes that he has carried out a mission, which is to bring his children to make the best achievements possible.

The results of the match in the first match against Ecuador U-17 show the quality of the Indonesian U-17 team.

However, the high spirit and patriotism of Heroes' Day seemed to be contagious to Arkhan Kaka Putra et al. They also struggled against Ecuador in a duel at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, November 10, 2023.

Like the national hero Bung Tomo, the children of the Milky Way almost won the match. When under pressure for the last 15 minutes, none of the faces were tired and gave up on them. As a result, Indonesia drew 1-1 against Ecuador.

As the host, Indonesia U-17 is not only competing with Ecuador's U-17 in Group A but also Panama U-17 and Morocco U-17.

By having more than 270 million people, until now Indonesia is still looking for how to maximize its great potential.

The enthusiasm of the Indonesian people for football should be able to change the spirit and great attention of the Indonesian football public to an achievement.

Was dubbed the Asian Tigers, the Indonesian national team managed to achieve a number of achievements such as the 2023 SEA Games gold and most recently qualified for the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Likewise, the senior national team will compete in Qatar next year. And now it is the turn of the Indonesian U-17 national team who will get the opportunity to give gifts to the supporters in front of themselves.

After Ecuador's opponents, Indonesia's second match will be held on November 13, 2023 with a kickoff schedule at 19.00 WIB at Gelora Bung Tomo. This time, the Garuda Muds squad hosted Panama.

And the final group stage match will be played on November 16, 2023, with Morocco at Gelora Bung Tomo Surabaya.

Joined in Group A, Indonesia has set a target to qualify from group competition and be able to appear in the knockout stages in their first appearance at the U-17 World Cup.

Indonesia has the right to appear in the U-17 World Cup with the status of the host. Seeing the appearance of young Indonesian talents, the host public hopes that the Bima Sakti team can give their best performance during the event. Garuda Muda is expected to be able to provide a number of surprises in their first appearance.

The Bima Sakti coach, was a former Indonesian national team player in the 90s until the early 2000s. Bima Bogi has a record of 12 goals from 58 matches when playing for the senior national team.

Bima Sakti's career began when he entered the young Indonesian team which was flown to Italy to compete in Primavera in the 1993/94 season.

Bima Sakti has defended several local Indonesian clubs such as PSM Makassar, Persiba Balikpapan and Pelita Jaya. Bima Sakti was recorded as the first to appear in the AFF Cup as a player and coach. And currently, Bima Sakti has Iqbal Gwijangge, to give the best performance for the host public.

Iqbal is a graduate of the TopSkor League, the Indonesian youth player League, with the Bandung Pro United club. He is the captain of the Indonesian U-16 national team, when he was raised by the Milky Way.

Iqbal Gwijangge, managed to get scholarships from PSSI, Kadin and the Hungarian Embassy, to be able to train at the FC Academic Puskas from February to July 2023.

With a tall posture, Iqbal used to play at the defender's position. But according to the needs and circumstances, he was also able to play well when he was placed as a defensive midfielder.

With intelligence in reading the match situation and also not ashamed to compete physically with opponents, brought Iqbal to succeed in making Indonesia U-16 win the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup.

Iqbal also led Indonesia in the 2023 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification. Unfortunately, Garuda Muda failed to qualify for the U-17 Asian Cup. And this time Iqbal's goal is eagerly awaited by the host public at Indonesia's inaugural appearance in an official event organized by FIFA.

Asa the host received full support from the Indonesia U-17 squad which will compete in the U-17 World Cup this year, the majority of which consist of players who won the 2022 AFF U-16 Cup.

At that time the tournament was also held in Indonesia and they managed to beat Vietnam with a narrow score of 1-0.