U17 National Team Manager Says U17 Success Is a Measurable and Disciplined Process

Viralterkini.id, Jakarta – The U17 National Team Manager, Zaki Achmad Iskandar, finally opened the complete story behind the birth of a new history of Indonesian football, the first victory on the 2025 U17 World Cup stage in Qatar.

According to Zaki, the success of Coach Nova Arianto’s young squad was not something that happened suddenly, but was the result of a long, measurable and disciplined process of nearly two years of team formation under the direct direction of PSSI General Chair, Erick Thohir.

Zaki explained that the foundation for this glory began in early 2024, when the players were still U16. “In this age group they are still like blank paper that can be shaped. We build them with long-term TC, tiered programs and strict discipline,” he said in Jakarta, Wednesday (3/12).

The journey passed through the AFF Cup phase in Solo, then through to the Asian Cup, before finally achieving the biggest target, qualifying for the U17 World Cup and winning for the first time in history, against Honduras. “One target cycle has been completed. This is the fruit of two years of hard work,” said Zaki.

However, forming this squad is not just a matter of tactics and physicality. Zaki revealed that the PSSI U17 team in the Erick Thohir era was the team with the most complete resources he had ever worked with. Starting from coaches, medical personnel, physiotherapists, nutritionists, to two special psychologists who accompany the players in each TC.

“The challenges for children aged 16-17 are big. They have just reached puberty, their emotions go up and down, the pressure from social media is extraordinary. Therefore, mental health is the foundation. We really strengthen it from a psychological perspective,” he explained.

Even nutrition, diet and muscle mass development are closely monitored, considering that the player’s growth phase lasts until the age of 20.

Zaki also said that the role of psychologists is very important, especially when players face homesickness, public pressure or personal problems during a long TC.

“Usually they confide in a psychologist or head coach first. If there is something that needs to be handled quickly, the psychologist conveys it to me,” he said.

Evaluation of defeats in the Asian Cup – including when they fell 0-6 to North Korea – actually became learning material that made the team’s mentality much more mature in Qatar. Evidently, when facing Zambia, Indonesia almost scored consecutive wins before finally shaking the world with the sweet history against Honduras.

With a mature structure, comprehensive coaching and full federation support, the U17 National Team is now proof that international achievement is no longer a dream – but the result of systematic work.

“Thank God, all targets were achieved. And victory in this World Cup is the starting point for the next golden generation,” concluded Zaki. (ma)