Indonesia has the opportunity to create history at the U-17 World Cup
Indonesia avoided tough opponents in the preliminary round for the 2023 U-17 World Cup. Thorough preparation in Germany was Indonesia's strategy to pursue its ambition to qualify for the knockout phase.
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The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Indonesia Berpeluang Ciptakan Sejarah di Piala Dunia U-17
The U-17 team players are practicing at Sriwedari Stadium in Surakarta City, Central Java, on Friday (11/8/2023). The team will compete in the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The Indonesian U-17 team will face Ecuador, Morocco, and Panama in Group A of the 2023 U-17 World Cup. Without facing any major teams in the world of football or former champions of the U-17 World Cup, Indonesia's chances of making history by advancing to the round of 16 are fairly open.
Out of the three competitors, Ecuador is the team that has appeared the most in the U-17 World Cup, having qualified for the main round six times. The best achievement of the South American representative is reaching the quarterfinals.
Morocco and Panama each have only participated in their second and third appearances in the U-17 World Cup. Both of them have achieved maximum results by advancing once to the round of 16.
Also read: PSSI Finalizes Preparations for U-17 World Cup Final
From the lottery draw conducted at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday (15/9/2023) night WIB, Indonesia will embark on its debut adventure in the U-17 World Cup facing Ecuador on November 10 at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Surabaya, East Java.
President Joko Widodo expressed his appreciation for the selection process of the Indonesia U-17 Football Team, which was held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency, West Java Province on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. According to the President, the selection process provides an opportunity for young children throughout the country to participate in the U-17 World Cup.
In response to the draw results, the Chairman of PSSI Erick Thohir stated that the Garuda Muda squad must prepare themselves to the fullest to play three preliminary matches in the U-17 World Cup. With 55 remaining days of preparation, the Indonesia U-17 team will undergo intensive training and friendly matches in Germany, starting from September 18th to October 24th.
"The Pelatnas training in Germany is our effort to enhance the non-technical skills and strengths of the team, particularly to enable them to compete against foreign teams, have the courage to fight, and tirelessly strive in upcoming tournaments," said Erick, who witnessed the draw in Jakarta."
In the second match, Indonesia will face Panama, the representative of CONCACAF (North, Central, and Caribbean Football Confederation). In the final match of Group A, Garuda Muda will challenge Morocco, which represents the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Also read: Testing the development of "Garuda Muda" towards the U-17 World Cup
The chance for Indonesia to advance to the round of 16 is quite open. To make it to the knockout phase, Indonesia has three scenarios. Besides becoming the champion or finishing as the runner-up in the group, Garuda Muda can compete for one of four spots for the best third place, contested by six teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino (center) poses with PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir (right) after their meeting on Thursday (6/4/2023) in Paris, France. The meeting discussed Indonesia's football transformation plan and the decision on PSSI sanctions. Please note that the word "PSSI" cannot be translated due to it being on the list of forbidden words.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino welcomed Indonesia as the first Southeast Asian country to host the 19th edition of the U-17 World Cup. He also expressed his gratitude to President Joko Widodo, the Indonesian government, and PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir for Indonesia's willingness to replace Peru as the host.
"This tournament is crucial for the development of future generations of footballers as they undergo their first global tournament in their careers. I also hope that this tournament will increase the participation of young boys and girls in football in Indonesia and the Southeast Asian region," said Infantino in his opening speech before the draw."
Pelatnas in Germany is our effort to enhance the non-technical abilities and strengths of the team, especially in order to compete against foreign teams.
Apart from JIS, Indonesia will host the 2023 Under-17 World Cup at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium (Bandung, West Java), Manahan Stadium (Surakarta, Central Java), and Bung Tomo Stadium (Surabaya, East Java).
Exciting competition is being created in the U-17 World Cup in Groups C and D. Brazil, England, Iran, and New Caledonia will compete in Group C, while Group D is inhabited by Japan, Argentina, Senegal, and Poland.
Garuda United U-17 coach, who also coaches the Indonesia U-17 team, Bima Sakti, was at Ngurah Rai Stadium in Denpasar on Wednesday (2/8/2023). Garuda United U-17 played a friendly game against an international club. The result of the friendly match between Garuda United U-17 and FC Barcelona Juvenil A at Ngurah Rai Stadium in Denpasar on Wednesday (2/8/2023) ended with a score of 3-0 for FC Barcelona Juvenil A's victory.
Training in Germany
Meanwhile, 25 Indonesian U-17 players with Coach Bima Sakti and U-17 Team Advisor Frank Wormuth witnessed a drawing at a restaurant in the Menteng area of Central Jakarta. The event began with a shared dinner.
After completing their final training session on Saturday morning (16/9/2023), they will depart for Dortmund, Germany on Sunday (17/9/2023). During their training camp in Germany, Garuda Muda trained at the facilities owned by Borussia Dortmund.
PSSI has scheduled six trial matches which include four matches against German junior club teams, and two matches against U-17 national teams, one of which is Germany.
Also read: 2023 U-17 World Cup Opening at JIS, Closing in Manahan
"We will adjust the friendly match as a simulation for the match against Indonesia in the group phase," exclaimed Erick.
A variety of souvenirs from the U-20 World Cup are being sold at Juaraga store in fX Sudirman mall, Jakarta on Monday (3/4/2023). Despite the cancellation of the biennial event last Wednesday (29/3/2023), 100-200 items are still sold every day with a 20% discount on all of the 53 types of souvenirs available.
Souvenir sales
Champion as the owner of the U-17 World Cup merchandise license will soon enliven the promotion of the youngest FIFA tournament. Juaraga CEO Mochtar Sarman said that the production of U-17 World Cup souvenirs was still being completed to fulfill stock so they could welcome the enthusiasm of the national football-loving public.
"The plan for the end of this month (September) will be released by us. The release event will be held in Jakarta and we will also provide sales in three other host cities," said Mochtar.
The eye-catching products prepared by Juaraga includes t-shirts, jackets, hats, bags, and even dolls. Several of these will display the tournament's logo and mascot, the Bacuya, which is a lit-up rhinoceros.
FIFA has opened online registration for the purchase of tickets for the 52 matches of the 2023 Under-17 World Cup. Prospective buyers can register by entering their email address to obtain information on ticket prices and purchase times by the end of September.
Group Division
A total of 24 participating countries in the FIFA U-17 World Cup are divided into six groups. The division into six groups is as follows:
Group A: Indonesia, Ecuador, Panama, Morocco
Group B: Spain, Canada, Mali, Uzbekistan
Group C: Brazil, Iran, New Caledonia, England
Group D: Japan, Poland, Argentina, Senegal
Group E: France, Burkina Faso, South Korea, United States
Group F: Mexico, Germany, Venezuela, New Zealand
Two teams at the top of each group's standings will automatically qualify for the round of 16. The four best third-place teams will also qualify for the round of 16.
Editor's Note: There is a correction regarding the location of the Indonesian match. Previously it was stated that Indonesia played at JIS Jakarta.
