Tangerang, Indonesia – The Indonesian U-17 national team suffered a heartbreaking defeat against China, falling 3-2 in a closely contested international friendly match held at the Indomilk Arena on . The loss comes just days after a more lopsided 7-0 defeat to the same opponent on , but represents a significant improvement in performance for the Young Garuda squad.
China struck first, with Zhao Songyuan finding the back of the net in the 9th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from the hosts. However, Indonesia responded swiftly, leveling the score in the 21st minute through a well-placed free-kick by Chico Jericho, which deceived Chinese goalkeeper Jiang Chengen. The first half ended with China regaining the lead in the 36th minute, courtesy of a goal from He Sifan, who pounced on a loose ball in front of the goal.
The second half began with renewed energy from Indonesia. Just two minutes after the restart, Mierza Firjatullah was fouled inside the penalty box, allowing Miraj Sulaeman to convert the resulting penalty and tie the game at 2-2. Indonesia briefly enjoyed a period of dominance, creating several opportunities through Mierza and captain Putu Ekayana, but were unable to capitalize.
The decisive blow came in the dying moments of the match. With the clock ticking into stoppage time, Zhang Bolin scored for China in the 90+4th minute, securing a narrow victory for the visitors. The late goal proved to be particularly devastating for Indonesia, conceding the goal during injury time.
This friendly match was part of Indonesia’s preparations for the AFC U-17 Championship. The team, coached by Nova Arianto, is aiming to improve its performance after a disappointing showing in the first friendly against China. The 7-0 loss on February 8th was described as “humiliating” by some observers, highlighting the significant gap in quality between the two sides at that time.
Despite the defeat, the second match demonstrated clear progress for Indonesia. The ability to twice equalize against a strong Chinese side indicates a growing resilience and tactical awareness within the team. The goals from set-piece situations – Jericho’s free-kick and Sulaeman’s penalty – suggest a developing proficiency in attacking from dead-ball scenarios.
However, coach Arianto acknowledged after the first match that the team still has a considerable amount of work to do before the AFC U-17 Championship. He stated that the reality of the matches differed significantly from their preparations, indicating a need for a more realistic assessment of their capabilities and a refinement of their training regime. The defensive vulnerabilities exposed in both matches, particularly the conceding of goals at crucial moments, will be a key area of focus for the coaching staff.
The Chinese team’s victory showcased their attacking prowess, with Zhao Songyuan and Zhang Bolin both finding the net. Their ability to capitalize on defensive errors from Indonesia proved to be the difference in both matches. The 7-0 win and the subsequent 3-2 victory demonstrate China’s clear superiority in this particular matchup.
The Indonesian U-17 team will need to address its defensive frailties and improve its concentration throughout the full 90 minutes if it hopes to compete effectively at the AFC U-17 Championship. While the second friendly against China offered a glimmer of hope, the team must build on this progress and eliminate the costly errors that have plagued their recent performances. The ability to maintain focus and composure, especially in the closing stages of matches, will be crucial to their success in the upcoming tournament.
The match at the Indomilk Arena provided valuable experience for the young Indonesian players, offering them a taste of international competition and an opportunity to learn from their mistakes. The coaching staff will undoubtedly analyze the game footage carefully, identifying areas for improvement and developing strategies to address the team’s weaknesses. The road to the AFC U-17 Championship will be challenging, but the Indonesian U-17 team remains determined to represent their nation with pride and compete to the best of their ability.
