RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia will field two under-16 women's teams at the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026, using the international football tournament to accelerate the development of young talent and strengthen preparations for future AFC competitions.

The international U-16 women's football tournament will take place from August 14-23 at Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java, featuring teams from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Program Director of the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup, Teddy Tjahjono, said Indonesia will be represented by two national youth teams: Garuda Pertiwi, coached by Timo Scheunemann, and Putri Nusantara, led by Takumi Taniguchi.

The squads consist of graduates from two domestic youth competitions, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) All Stars held from June 23-28 and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League (HSL) All Stars from July 5-12.

The Merdeka Cup serves as the final stage of the Women's Soccer Trilogy 2026 development program. The selection process identified 56 top players before the coaching staff finalized 46 athletes to represent Indonesia.

Most of the players were scouted through the HSL after progressing from the MLSC development pathway.

"We hope the senior women's national team's AFF Women's Championship 2026 title inspires them," Teddy said on Thursday, July 30, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"With this tournament taking place alongside Indonesia's 81st Independence Day celebrations, we hope they can deliver their best performances and make the country proud," he added.

Teddy said that the Women's Soccer Trilogy is designed as a continuous development pathway to build a stronger foundation for Indonesian women's football.

Ahead of the tournament, both Indonesian teams will hold a training camp from July 24 to August 11 in Kudus and Pati to improve tactics, fitness, and team chemistry.

Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) Executive Committee member Vivin Cahyani Sungkono praised the Djarum Foundation's long-term commitment to supporting Indonesia's women's football ecosystem through the Srikandi Merdeka Cup.

"This tournament gives young players valuable international match experience while helping monitor talent for the Indonesia U-17 women's national team," Vivin said.

She added that facing international opponents will help expand the national talent pool ahead of the 2027 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers. "The more players gain international playing time, the greater our options for building a stronger national team," she said.

The group-stage draw, held on July 23, placed Garuda Pertiwi alongside Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia in Group A, while Putri Nusantara will face Thailand, Singapore, and Jordan in Group B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout-stage semifinals before the final. ***