Garuda Pertiwi Dominates in Opening Match of Srikandi Merdeka Cup

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s U-16 women’s foot ball national team, Garuda Pertiwi, made a powerful statement in their opening fixture of the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026, crushing Saudi Arabia 7–0 at Supersoccer Arena, Kudus Regency, Central Java, on Friday night, August 14, 2026. The emphatic victory not only secured three points but also placed Indonesia at the top of Group A, setting the tone for their campaign.

The match showcased Indonesia’s attacking depth, with goals spread across multiple players. Keysa Arabela opened the scoring in the 5th minute, followed by a solo effort from Nafeeza Ayasha Nori in the 23rd. A penalty converted by Jezlyn Kayla after VAR confirmed a foul and red card against Saudi defender Arwa Naif A Alrasheed extended the lead, before Kayla struck again to make it 4–0 before halftime, Antara reported.

In the second half, Indonesia continued to press their advantage. Shifana Rizka Nadifa added a fifth, Fadilla scored in the 79th minute, and a late own goal from Saudi defender Dima Ahmed Hegazy sealed the 7–0 rout.

Despite Saudi Arabia’s attempts to regroup with substitutions, Indonesia’s relentless pressure proved overwhelming. The Garuda Pertiwi squad, coached by Timo Scheunemann, demonstrated not only attacking flair but also tactical discipline, capitalizing on their numerical advantage after the first-half red card.

Elsewhere in Group A, Hong Kong and Malaysia played out a goalless draw, leaving both sides with one point each. With this result, Indonesia leads the group standings, while Saudi Arabia sits at the bottom with no points.

By opening their campaign with such a commanding performance, Garuda Pertiwi have signaled their intent to dominate the Srikandi Merdeka Cup and build momentum toward the later stages of the tournament. The victory also highlights the growing strength of Indonesia’s youth women’s football program, which is increasingly competitive on the regional stage. ***