Alberto Hengga's Dream, Don't Want To Stop In Indonesia U-17

Alberto Hengga (number 10) wants to continue to hone his skills in order to be able to defend the senior level of the Indonesian national team (doc. PSSI).

JAKARTA - Alberto Hengga's trip to the U-17 Asian Cup with the U-17 Indonesian National Team (Timnas) is getting more attractive from match to match.

The forward played calmly in his first Group C match against South Korea U-17, only creating one chance when his team won through last-minute goals by Evandra Florasta.

Indonesia's second U-17 match against Yemen U-17 began to attract him. The 16-year-old had only one shot into the net in the 25th minute, but he turned it into Indonesia's second goal in a 4-1 win over the West Asian team.

In the group's final match against Afghanistan U-17, the Bhayangkara Precision FC player entered after the break, just as Indonesia U-17 appeared to end in a draw.

However, he scored in the fourth minute of injury time. His team-mate, Zahaby Gholy, then scored two minutes later to get them to end the group season perfectly, advance to the quarter-finals and qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

"I study and absorb everything head coach Nova Arianto taught me. Therefore, I really believe I can help the team qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup."

"Now I have achieved that goal," said Alberto Hengga as reported by the AFC page.

Alberto, who also scored a two-minute injury time goal in a 10--0 win over the North Mariana Islands in Qualification, made his Indonesia U-17 debut in August 2024, where he scored three goals in nine matches.

"Since I was little, I always held the ball, and I always felt like I had the blood of the ball player."

"My mother took me to a tournament wherever it was held. I started playing seriously at the age of nine and became part of the U-16 Indonesian national team at the age of 15," he said.

The vocational school student, who said his advantage was to shoot, hold the ball, dribble, and run fast, said he had to improve his weakness -- SCaring and header -- if he hopes to become a professional player one day.

"I was motivated because I wanted to make my family proud. Even though I came from an underprivileged background, the dream was free."

"That's why I chose to be an international football player. I've achieved it."

"However, I don't want to stop here because I want to continue to be part of the Indonesian national team to the senior level," he said.

Indonesia U-17 will meet North Korea U-17 in the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup on Monday, April 14, 2025, WIB night.