Interim coach of Indonesia comments after the 0-7 defeat to China

Coach Nova Arianto was surprised by Indonesia U17's overwhelming 0-7 defeat to China U17.

Indonesia U17 endured a very challenging evening hosting China U17 in an international friendly at Indomilk Arena. Facing an opponent with superior fitness, speed, and organizational skills, the home side quickly found themselves struggling defensively. The skill gap was rapidly reflected on the scoreboard, and ultimately, the "Young Eagles" had to accept a heavy 0-7 loss.

This defeat brought mixed emotions to the coaching staff. Playing at home, Indonesia U17 hoped to create a more competitive match or at least limit the number of goals conceded. However, the harsh reality of continental youth football presented a test beyond their expectations.

Coach Nova Arianto did not shy away from acknowledging the disparity. He stated: "One thing is certain, first of all, our expectations were completely different from what actually happened. From our preparations, the match itself, and before the match, our hopes were truly far from reality."

Nevertheless, the coach emphasized the value of international experience for the young players. He added: "But I understand this because it was their international match, and we all know that the China U-17 team is a very strong side in this game." According to Nova, competing against high-quality opponents will help players recognize their limits and strive for improvement.

Putting the score aside, the coaching staff found some satisfaction in the team's fighting spirit. Nova confirmed: "I believe the players gave their all throughout, and that is what I want to see so they can learn from it." The disappointed faces after the match, including forward Mochammad Mierza Firjatullah, further demonstrated the whole team's desire to improve.

Ending a forgettable evening, Nova stressed a bigger goal ahead: "We will learn from this match to see what we need to improve because the level and intensity of play are definitely different from what the players have experienced before." Indonesia U17 sees this friendly as an important stepping stone in their preparation for the U16 Southeast Asia and U17 Asia Championships in Saudi Arabia, before the team is handed over to coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto after the training phase.