Against South Korea, Indonesia U-17 Aims For Three Points

Indonesian U-17 National Team Captain Putu Panji Apriawan (doc PSSI)

JAKARTA The U-17 Indonesian national team captain, Putu Panji Apriawan, targeted him and his friends to hunt for three points when they met South Korea in the first match of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup group phase.

Clashes between Indonesia and South Korea will take place at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday, April 4, 2025. Kick off or kick off the start of the match will start at 22.00 WIB.

Putu admitted that the match was Indonesia's toughest test in the group phase. However, he and his colleagues still set high targets.

"I admit that Korea is the strongest opponent in the group phase, but that's no excuse to play with a burden and play never give up, three points tomorrow," Putu said in a statement received by the media.

A total of 23 Indonesian U-17 national team players have undergone training camps in the Middle East since March 15 to prepare for the tournament which was attended by a total of 16 countries.

In addition to adaptation, while there they also conducted three trials. The details won 1-0 over China U-17, then drew 2-2 at a meeting with the United Arab Emirates U-17, and lost 0-2 to Iran U-17.

The U-17 Indonesian national team coach Nova Arianto also expressed optimism ahead of this inaugural match. He ensured that his players were in a condition that was ready to fight.

"The first match must be difficult, both for us and for Korea. That's what I emphasize to the players to stay focused and calm in order to get points in this match," he said.

In addition to fighting South Korea, the Garuda squad will also meet Yemen and Afghanistan in Group C. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarter-finals as well as lock up tickets for the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

Indonesia last appeared in the U-17 World Cup when they hosted the event at the end of 2023. At that time, Garuda Muda was stuck in the group stage because he was in third place in the final standings of the preliminary round.