U20 Coach Sets Ambitious Target as Indonesia Drawn into Tough Group

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s U20 head coach Nova Arianto has set his sights on guiding the Garuda Muda to the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals in China by winning their qualifying group--a task made more challenging after being drawn alongside defending champions Australia, regional rivals Malaysia, and hosts Laos in Group H.

“Our target is clear: to qualify for the U20 Asian Cup,” Nova said on Thursday, May 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Australia enters as reigning champions, having lifted the trophy for the first time in 2025 after edging Saudi Arabia 5-4 on penalties. Malaysia, meanwhile, has reached three finals but never claimed the title, while Indonesia’s sole triumph dates back to 1961. Laos has yet to reach a final, with their best run ending in the quarterfinals in 1970.

“This is a very competitive group, coincidentally similar to our opponents in the 2026 AFF U19 Championship,” Nova noted.

Under the new qualification format, eight group winners (A–H) and seven best runners-up will advance to the finals scheduled for March 24–April 10, 2027.

The AFC has also introduced a promotion-relegation system, with bottom teams relegated to the Development Phase (Groups I–K), while winners and runners-up from that phase earn promotion for the next cycle.

Indonesia’s preparations are already underway, with their first test coming at the ASEAN U19 Boys’ Championship 2026 in Medan, North Sumatra, from June 1–13. As hosts and defending champions, Indonesia will face Myanmar (June 1), Timor Leste (June 4), and Vietnam (June 7) in Group A. ***