Indonesia’s Dual Youth Teams Embark on International Stage at Srikandi Merdeka Cup
- 14 Agt 2026 11:15 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Indonesia’s U-16 women’s national program is fielding two separate teams, Garuda Pertiwi and Putri Nusantara, at the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026.
- Head coach Timo Scheunemann leads Garuda Pertiwi in Group A, opening against Saudi Arabia on Friday, August 14, 2026.
- Coach Takumi Taniguchi leads Putri Nusantara in Group B, opening against Thailand on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Indonesia’s U‑16 women’s national squad is taking an unusual step at the Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 by fielding not one, but two teams -- Garuda Pertiwi and Putri Nusantara.
The move reflects the country’s growing investment in women’s football development and offers twice the opportunity for young players to gain international exposure.
Garuda Pertiwi, placed in Group A, opens its campaign on Friday night, August 14, 2026 at 8 p.m. local time, against Saudi Arabia at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus Regency, Central Java.
Head coach Timo Scheunemann said the tournament is less about immediate results and more about building resilience. “We want our players to gain experience, so they grow into tough athletes, ensuring the senior women’s team has strong quality in the future,” he said, as quoted by Antara.
Putri Nusantara will begin its Group B journey on Saturday against Thailand. Coach Takumi Taniguchi emphasized confidence and preparation despite limited time. “We are very enthusiastic to be part of this tournament. Even with a short preparation period, the players have worked hard and gone through an extraordinary process,” he said.
Garuda Pertiwi will later face Malaysia and Hong Kong, while Putri Nusantara is set to meet Singapore and Jordan. Beyond the fixtures, the presence of two Indonesian teams signals a broader ambition: to accelerate player development and showcase the depth of talent emerging in the national program.
By splitting its youth squad, Indonesia is not only competing but also experimenting with pathways to strengthen women’s football. The Srikandi Merdeka Cup thus becomes more than a tournament; it is a testing ground for Indonesia’s dual team strategy and a statement of intent in the regional football landscape. ***
News Recomendation
Memuat berita terbaru.....