Fundamental Errors Plague Indonesia U-17 World Cup Campaign, Laments Coach Arianto

Jakarta – Indonesia’s U-17 national team faces an uphill battle in its quest for advancement at the U-17 World Cup 2025, following two consecutive defeats that have exposed critical flaws in the team’s foundational skills. Coach Nova Arianto has publicly acknowledged the persistent issue of basic errors, particularly in passing accuracy, which he believes is hindering the team’s performance on the international stage.

The Garuda Muda suffered a heavy 4-0 loss to Brazil in their second group stage match, held at the Aspire Zone Pitch 7. The match saw Dafa Al Gasemi, Indonesia’s goalkeeper, breached by goals from Luis Eduardo, an own goal by Putu Panji, and strikes from Felipe Morais and Ruan Pablo. This defeat compounded their earlier 3-1 loss to Zambia in the opening fixture, placing Indonesia at the bottom of Group H with no points.

Arianto expressed his concern over the recurring issue of inaccurate passes, a problem that he believes transcends age groups within Indonesian football. "In my opinion, this is indeed one of the weaknesses of our players individually, and this must be a major concern for us, not only in the U-17 national team, but also in the U-20 and U-23 teams. I see this as one of the weaknesses of our players," Arianto stated after the match against Brazil, as reported by ANTARA news agency.

The coach emphasized the need for a concerted effort to address these fundamental skills at all levels of youth development. "This is what should concern us for the future, how we want to compete in the world, in Asia, we must be more prepared in terms of individual skills," he added.

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Indonesia’s struggles in the tournament reflect a broader challenge facing the nation’s football development program. While enthusiasm for the sport is high, the technical proficiency of players at the youth level needs significant improvement to compete effectively against stronger footballing nations. The focus on tactical strategies and physical conditioning must be balanced with a renewed emphasis on honing basic skills such as passing, ball control, and decision-making under pressure.

The defeat against Brazil highlighted the gulf in quality between the two sides. Brazil, a powerhouse in youth football, demonstrated superior technical ability, tactical awareness, and physical conditioning. The Indonesian team, while showing flashes of potential, was ultimately outmatched in all departments. The own goal by Putu Panji further exemplified the pressure the Indonesian defense was under, a consequence of Brazil’s relentless attacking pressure.

In the match against Zambia, Indonesia initially showed promise, scoring the opening goal. However, Zambia quickly responded, exposing defensive vulnerabilities and capitalizing on Indonesia’s inability to maintain possession. The lack of composure in key moments and the tendency to make errors under pressure proved costly.

The U-17 World Cup serves as a crucial platform for identifying and nurturing young talent. For Indonesia, it is an opportunity to assess the progress of its youth development programs and identify areas for improvement. The exposure to international competition provides valuable experience for the players, allowing them to learn from their mistakes and develop their game.

Indonesia’s final group stage match is against Honduras, scheduled to take place at Aspire Zone Pitch 2 on Monday, November 10, 2025. To keep alive any hopes of progressing to the knockout stages, Indonesia must secure a victory against Honduras. While a direct qualification seems unlikely, Indonesia could still potentially advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

The path to the round of 32 is fraught with challenges. Even with a win against Honduras, Indonesia’s chances of qualifying as a best third-placed team depend on the results of other group matches. The qualification criteria for the best third-placed teams typically consider factors such as points earned, goal difference, and goals scored.

The U-17 World Cup 2025 is being held in Qatar, providing a unique opportunity for young players from around the world to showcase their talents on a global stage. The tournament features 24 teams divided into six groups of four. The top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the round of 16.

For Indonesia, the U-17 World Cup represents a long-term investment in the future of its football. By providing opportunities for young players to compete against the best in the world, the tournament helps to raise the standard of Indonesian football and inspire future generations of players.

The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) has invested heavily in youth development programs in recent years, with the aim of producing more talented players who can compete at the international level. These programs include the establishment of youth academies, the training of qualified coaches, and the organization of youth leagues and tournaments.

However, the challenges facing Indonesian football are significant. The country lacks the infrastructure and resources of many of its competitors. Corruption and mismanagement have also hampered the development of the sport.

To overcome these challenges, Indonesia needs to adopt a long-term, strategic approach to football development. This includes investing in grassroots programs, improving the quality of coaching, and promoting good governance within the sport. It also requires a cultural shift, with a greater emphasis on discipline, hard work, and fair play.

The performance of the U-17 national team at the World Cup will undoubtedly have an impact on the future of Indonesian football. A strong showing would boost morale and inspire young players across the country. Conversely, a disappointing performance could set back the development of the sport.

Despite the challenges, there is reason for optimism. Indonesia has a large and passionate football following, and there is a growing pool of talented young players. With the right support and guidance, these players can achieve great things.

The U-17 World Cup is a test of Indonesia’s progress in youth development. It is an opportunity to learn from the best in the world and to identify areas for improvement. It is also a chance to showcase the potential of Indonesian football and inspire future generations of players.

The match against Honduras is a crucial opportunity for Indonesia to salvage something from the tournament. A win would not only keep alive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages but would also provide a much-needed boost to morale. It would also demonstrate that Indonesia is capable of competing against higher-ranked teams.

However, even with a win, Indonesia’s chances of qualifying as a best third-placed team remain slim. The team would need to rely on favorable results in other group matches. The qualification criteria for the best third-placed teams are complex and can vary from tournament to tournament.

Regardless of the outcome, the U-17 World Cup is a valuable learning experience for the Indonesian players. They will have the opportunity to compete against some of the best young players in the world, to learn from their mistakes, and to develop their game.

The tournament also provides a platform for Indonesian football to showcase its potential to the world. A strong showing would attract more investment in the sport and help to raise the standard of Indonesian football.

The Indonesian football authorities are committed to improving the country’s youth development programs. They are investing in new facilities, training more coaches, and organizing more youth leagues and tournaments.

The goal is to produce more talented players who can compete at the international level. The U-17 World Cup is a key part of this strategy.

The Indonesian team is determined to give its best performance in the match against Honduras. They know that they face a tough challenge, but they are confident that they can compete.

The players are motivated by the support of the Indonesian fans, who have been following their progress throughout the tournament. They are determined to make their country proud.

The match against Honduras is a must-win game for Indonesia. The team will need to be at its best to secure a victory.

The players are confident that they can rise to the occasion and give their fans something to cheer about.

The U-17 World Cup is a celebration of youth football. It is an opportunity for young players from around the world to showcase their talents and to learn from each other.

The tournament is also a reminder of the importance of investing in youth development. By providing opportunities for young players to compete at the highest level, we can help them to reach their full potential.

Indonesia is committed to developing its youth football program. The U-17 World Cup is a key part of this strategy.

The team is determined to make its country proud.

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Ahmad Zein Salamo: Ahmad Zein Salamo is a dedicated football journalist at Sports News Break, covering the global game with a sharp eye for detail and passion for storytelling. With years of experience following Europe’s top leagues and international tournaments, he delivers insightful analysis, match previews, and breaking news with journalistic integrity and depth.

His reporting combines tactical understanding with a human perspective, highlighting not only the drama on the pitch but also the stories that shape the sport beyond it. From Champions League nights to grassroots football, Ahmad’s work reflects a true love for the beautiful game and a commitment to bringing readers closer to the action.