After The U-17 Indonesian National Team Lost To Zambia, Nova Arianto: If You Don't Dare, The Situation Will Be Difficult

Nova Arianto assessed that the U-17 Indonesian national team did not appear brave in the inaugural match of the 2025 U-17 World Cup (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The U-17 Indonesian national team coach, Nova Arianto, revealed a message after his team's defeat to Zambia U-17 in the inaugural match of the 2025 U-17 World Cup group phase.

The two teams met at Field 7 Aspire Academy, Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, WIB night. In that match, the U-17 Indonesian national team was forced to surrender 1-3 by Zambia.

Nova Arianto's squad took the lead 1-0 through Muhammad Zahaby Gholy's goal in the 12th minute. However, Zambia was able to turn things around through Abel Nyirongo's brace and one goal from Lukonde Mwale.

After the match, Nova Arianto highlighted the course of the match and explained that the defeat to Zambia was due to the mental factors of players on the field.

"At the U-17 World Cup level, if we don't dare to play or be afraid, yes, the situation will be difficult for us. We can see there is a difference in the first half with the second half."

"I can see that in the second half my players can have better determinations. Finally we can make more chances," Nova Arianto said after the match, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

The coach also commented on the changes he made after the break by bringing in Adi Dimas and Muhammad Algazani. He said, it had quite an impact and made the mentality of Garuda Muda's game increase dramatically in the second half.

Regarding the game plan (game plan), Nova considered that he had anticipated the speed owned by the Zambian wingers. However, the negligence carried out by the players made the Indonesia U-17 goal able to concede three goals.

"Indeed, there is a bit of negligence, but I think it's natural because now the level is the U-17 World Cup. If we make a mistake at a moment, yes, it becomes a goal," he said.

This result makes Indonesia U-17 in third place in Group H standings without getting points. While the top of the standings is controlled by Brazil U-17 which is only ahead of the goal difference from Zambia U-17.