October 28, 2025 | 10:47 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The U-17 Indonesia national team is set to play their final friendly match against Panama’s U-17 squad in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, as part of their final preparations for the U-17 World Cup 2025.
Earlier in their Dubai training camp, the team, led by coach Nova Arianto, lost 1-2 to Paraguay on Saturday, October 25, and drew 0-0 against Ivory Coast on Monday, October 27.
All matches were closed to the public. Sumardji, Head of the National Team Body of the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), confirmed the results.
“Yes, that’s correct,” he told Tempo via a messaging application on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Despite the absence of a victory, the results were encouraging. Indonesia’s defense effectively contained the attacks of physically strong and fast opponents, particularly from Ivory Coast, one of the U-17 World Cup 2025 participants.
The African team, which finished third in the 2024/25 African U-17 Cup, is in Group A of the tournament.
Coach Nova Arianto expressed his appreciation for the simulation matches, especially against high-caliber opponents.
“Not only in terms of playing quality, but also in physique and speed, which is exactly what we are preparing for,” he said in a video message to journalists on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
U-17 Indonesia National Team Coach Nova Arianto. Documented by PSSI
The 45-year-old coach emphasized that the players must continue to focus and reflect, as the World Cup is only a week away.
“I ask the players to stay focused so we can achieve our goal of earning points in the first match,” Nova said.
In the U-17 World Cup 2025, Indonesia will open their campaign against Zambia on November 4 in Group H, followed by a match against Brazil three days later.
The group stage concludes with a match against Honduras on November 10.
This tournament marks Indonesia’s debut at the U-17 World Cup, after qualifying by reaching the quarterfinals of the 2025 Asian U-17 Cup in April.
Previously, the young Garuda played in the competition as hosts two years ago under coach Bima Sakti but failed to advance past the group stage.
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