Nova Arianto Opens To Add Diaspora Players In The U-17 Indonesian National Team

PHOTO: Indonesia U-17 national team coach Nova Arianto. (Doc. INSTAGRAM @novarianto30)

JAKARTA The coach of the Indonesian U-17 national team, Nova Arianto, is very open to adding diaspora or descendants to his squad.

The need for diaspora players within the U-17 Indonesian national team is most likely very much needed to prepare for the 2025 U-17 World Cup on 3-27 November in Qatar.

The 45-year-old coach said that the addition or absence of diaspora players to his squad for this important event at this time could not be ascertained.

"If later it is deemed necessary, the possibility could be added, but now it may not be certain, especially since there are still some players who have not joined this tournament," he said.

Nova is currently leading his team to appear in the 2025 Independence Cup which will take place in Medan. There were as many as four diaspora players who were brought by the coach there.

The names in question are Elzar Jacob, Noha Pohan, Aaron Liam Suitela, and Mathew Baker. In total Nova brought 30 names for the competition.

The tournament which took place at the North Sumatra Main Stadium, Deli Serdang, was part of an important preparation for the Garuda Muda squad to welcome the U-17 World Cup in Qatar later.

Nova said that he still has enough time to analyze the shortcomings of the current squad so that the needs of the diaspora players can be an option later.

"Although there are still some shortcomings in the team to face the World Cup later, we can still fix it. We'll see if the other options for the diaspora players still need to be added," he said.

Indonesia has played two matches in the 2025 Independence Cup with one draw against Tajikistan and one win against Uzbekistan.

The result made the Garuda Muda National Team sit in second place in the standings with a collection of four points. Baker and his colleagues will then face Mali on Monday, August 18 nearest.