Victory Over Nepal Becomes The Target Of The Indonesian Women's National Team Ahead Of Appearing At The 2025 SEA Games

JAKARTA - Victory is the absolute target of the coach of the Indonesian Women's National Team, Akira Higashiyama, while escorting the team against Nepal. The agenda was a test run before the Garuda Pertiwi squad was completed at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games in December.

The meeting of the Indonesian Women's National Team and Nepal will take place at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Yogyakarta, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at 19.15 WIB. After fighting Nepal, Indonesia will continue the test match against China Taipei on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the same location.

"So, for almost two months we have prepared a training camp for the match against Nepal. Then, after that, we will play against China Taipei."

"We are excited to be able to play the real match. Of course, we have to win," Akira Higashiyama said before the match, quoted on Wednesday, November 26, 2025.

On paper, Nepal is quite superior on the ranking side. You see, they are now in the 89th position of FIFA, while Indonesia is ranked 106th in the world.

Commenting on Nepal's strength, which has good players, Akira said it did not scare his team. Reflecting on the preparations that have been made by Garuda Pertiwi, the coach believes he can beat Nabin Neupane's team.

"Still, the most important thing is what we can do, how we prepare. So, we just have to show our best tomorrow," said the Japanese coach.

For these two matches, Akira called 36 players which he would later cone in order to get the final squad for the 2025 SEA Games.

The 36 players who were called included players who had careers abroad, such as Iris de Rouw (St. John's University), Felicia de Zeuw (ADO Den Haag), Claudia Scheunemann (FC Utrecht), Isa Warps (VFR Weyerbyen), to Embola Loupatty (Women Torres Calcio).

At the 2025 SEA Games, Indonesia is in Group A with Cambodia, Singapore, and hosts Thailand. Garuda Pertiwi will open the match in this tournament on December 4, 2025 against Thailand at the IPE Chonburi Stadium.