TC Title For Preparation For 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification, Nova Arianto Reveals Player Criteria

Nova Arianto revealed the criteria for players who will qualify for the Indonesia U-17 (VOI/Ulfa Gusti) team.

JAKARTA - The U-17 Indonesian national team coach, Nova Arianto, has again led the training camp (TC) which was held at Senayan Field, Jakarta, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, afternoon WIB. On this occasion, Nova Arianto emphasized the criteria for players he would choose to join the squad.

This TC is a preparation before appearing in the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup Qualification. Given the importance of the agenda, Nova did not carelessly appoint players.

He even emphasized the criteria that must be met by players in order to meet the requirements.

"Yes, of course it (the criterion sought) is in accordance with what I used to talk about, yes. The height factor, work ethic, and player mentality. That is my note in assessing players," said Nova Arianto after leading the training at Senayan Field on Thursday, August 8, 2024, afternoon WIB.

The three criteria are Nova Arianto's permanent benchmark. However, from all three, mentality is the coach's most important thing.

You see, if you measure in terms of quality, the coach said that the players in the team currently almost have even quality.

"In terms of quality, actually 11-12 at the age of 16,. However, what we hope is their mentality. Whether they want it or not (show their maximum and prove themselves), that's what I'm looking for this selection," he said.

After disclosing the criteria for the ideal player, Nova Arianto also informed that on this TC agenda he will focus more on looking for defenders.

The reason was that the coach took the picture when his team appeared in the 2024 AFF U-16 Cup in Solo, July 2024.

"I just saw the position in the back line. Once again, it became my record. Our back line in the AFF U-16 Cup is not yet perfect," said Nova Arianto.

"Hopefully I will get players who match our character. So, we can increase our strength in the Qualification (Asia U-17 2025 Cup)," said the coach.

In the U-17 Asian Cup Qualification, Indonesia is in Group G. Garuda Muda is in the same group as Australia, the Mariana Islands, and Kuwait which are the hosts.

In that qualifying round, there were 43 participating teams divided into 10 groups. The match will take place on 19-27 October 2024.