The Indonesia U-17 national team is preparing for their biggest test yet in the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. This match isn’t just about tactics or technical skills—it’s a test of mental strength as they face North Korea U-17 in the quarterfinals. The high-stakes match will be held Monday night (April 14, 2025), at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah.
Head coach Nova Arianto is determined not to let his players just be spectators on the big stage. He’s challenging them to show their true character as a team that has officially secured a spot in the 2025 U-17 World Cup.
“Now’s the Time for Them to Show Who They Are on the World Stage”
For Nova, representing Asia at the World Cup isn’t just a title on paper—it’s a reflection of the team’s quality, and more importantly, their winning mentality.
“These kids are no longer an underdog team—they’ve reached the world level. So I want to see how they respond to pressure. Not with fear, but with courage and conviction,” Nova said firmly.
For Indonesia U-17, North Korea Is A Tough Team to Break Down
Nova fully understands that their upcoming opponents are no ordinary team. North Kоrеа U-17 National Team are knоwn fоr thеіr ѕоlіd team structure, рhуѕісаl ѕtrеngth, аnd intense рlауіng spirit.
“They’re one of the most disciplined and physically strong teams in this tournament. But I don’t want our players to see that as a threat. Instead, it’s a challenge—one that we must face head-on to prove we can compete,” he added.
Slight Fitness Advantage Over North Korea
Beyond the technical and mental preparations, Indonesia U-17 does have one small edge: an extra day of rest compared to their opponents.
“We had a four-day break, while North Korea only had three. It might not sound like much, but in a tight tournament schedule, even one day can make a big difference,” said Nova.
Still, he emphasized that any advantage would be wasted without the right mental preparation.
Indonesia U-17 With No Room for Fear
With all the pressure of a quarterfinal and facing a formidable opponent, Nova has one clear message for his players: there’s no place for fear.
“Football is about courage—especially at this level. I want the boys to walk onto the pitch with their heads held high, full of confidence, and ready to make history.”
A Moment to Make History for Indonesia U-17
The Garuda Muda have come a long way. With three commanding wins in the group stage and a ticket to the World Cup already secured, they’ve shown what they’re capable of. But now, against a disciplined and battle-hardened North Korean side, they face a new kind of test—one that will measure not just skill, but character.
The question is no longer “Can they compete?”—they’ve already proven that. Now it’s about how far they’re willing to go to make history.
This is more than a quarterfinal match. It’s a moment of truth.
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