North Sumatra Governor Muhammad Bobby Afif Nasution has lauded the Indonesia U-19 National Team for their stellar performance in the opening match of the 2026 AFF U19 Cup. The team, under the guidance of coach Nova Arianto, commenced their campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over formidable rivals Myanmar at the Sumut Main Stadium in Deliserdang on Monday, June 1, 2026.
From the moment the whistle blew, the Indonesia U-19 squad demonstrated an undeniable dominance, commanding the flow of play throughout the match. Known affectionately as “Garuda Muda,” the young Indonesian side took a crucial 1-0 lead in the first half before extending their advantage with two additional goals in the second, sealing a resounding win. This victory carries significant weight, especially considering that Myanmar was Indonesia’s opponent in the final of the previous AFF U19 edition, setting a strong tone for the tournament.
Post-match, Governor Bobby Nasution expressed his satisfaction with the team’s display. “The performance was excellent, securing a 3-0 win. This is a very positive result for our national team, and we are hopeful they will deliver even better performances in their upcoming matches,” he stated, reflecting the aspirations of a nation.
Playing before a passionate crowd of thousands of home supporters, Indonesia U-19 broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal from Arkhan Kaka just before the halftime whistle. The second half saw Dimas shine brightly, netting two impressive goals. His strikes capitalized on errors from the Myanmar defense, which appeared to struggle under the immense pressure and the electrifying atmosphere of the stadium, showcasing Indonesia’s tactical prowess and attacking efficiency.
Governor Bobby Nasution further emphasized the critical role played by the enthusiastic fanbase. He highlighted how the overwhelming support served as a powerful motivator for the Indonesian players on the field. “The atmosphere was truly extraordinary, and the enthusiasm of our community was incredible. I believe this served as an invaluable boost, igniting the spirit of Garuda Muda,” he added, underscoring the galvanizing presence of the home crowd.
Conversely, Myanmar Coach Ryuji Sueoka openly acknowledged the profound impact of the Sumut Main Stadium atmosphere on his team’s performance. He conceded that his players found it challenging to deliver their best amidst the fervent public support for the host nation. “I think the atmosphere was extraordinary. It certainly affected our players’ performance, but we will continue our evaluations to ensure a better showing in the next match,” Ryuji affirmed, demonstrating a commitment to improvement despite the challenging start.
The eagerly anticipated opening match of the Indonesia U-19 National Team in the 2026 AFF U19 Cup drew a distinguished audience. Among those in attendance were North Sumatra Deputy Governor Surya, Acting Regional Secretary of North Sumatra Province Sulaiman Harahap, Acting Chairman of Asprov PSSI North Sumatra Arya Sinulingga, Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas, various officials from the North Sumatra Provincial Government agencies, and numerous prominent figures from the sports community, all witnessing a promising start for the young Indonesian football hopefuls.
Summary
North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution memuji Tim Nasional U-19 Indonesia atas kemenangan telak 3-0 melawan Myanmar dalam pertandingan pembuka Piala AFF U19 2026. Bertanding di Stadion Utama Sumut pada 1 Juni 2026, “Garuda Muda” mendominasi pertandingan dengan gol-gol dari Arkhan Kaka dan Dimas. Gubernur Nasution menyatakan kepuasannya terhadap performa tim yang luar biasa, berharap mereka dapat memberikan hasil yang lebih baik di pertandingan selanjutnya.
Nasution juga menyoroti peran penting dukungan ribuan suporter tuan rumah yang menjadi motivasi kuat bagi para pemain. Sebaliknya, Pelatih Myanmar Ryuji Sueoka mengakui bahwa atmosfer stadion yang luar biasa tersebut mempengaruhi performa timnya secara negatif. Kemenangan signifikan ini, disaksikan oleh berbagai tokoh penting dan masyarakat, memberikan awal yang kuat bagi Indonesia di turnamen tersebut.