Teknowarta – Indonesia U-17 National Team coach, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, has highlighted the team’s failure to advance in the AFF U-17 2026 Cup following a goalless draw against Vietnam as a crucial learning experience. This evaluation will be pivotal as the squad gears up for the upcoming U-17 Asia Cup.
“We prepared a defensive game plan with a focus on counter-attacks. However, our counter-attacking execution wasn’t optimal, and this is a key takeaway before we compete in the Asia Cup,” Kurniawan stated during a post-match press conference at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday evening.
Despite the setback, Kurniawan commended his players’ dedication, acknowledging their success in largely implementing the defensive strategy. He explained that a more conservative approach was chosen due to Vietnam’s aggressive performance in their two previous matches, necessitating a cautious tactic from his side.
The coach emphasized that improving the transition from defense to attack remains a significant challenge for the team. “When playing with five defenders, offensive support naturally becomes more limited. Therefore, we must maximize our counter-attacks to be effective,” he added, outlining areas for immediate improvement.
Responding to criticism from the Vietnamese coach, who had hoped for a more open game, Kurniawan clarified that the defensive strategy was a deliberate part of the team’s long-term preparation for the Asia Cup. “We intentionally played a defend-and-counter style, waiting for them in our own area and aiming to launch swift counter-attacks,” he elaborated, underscoring the strategic foresight behind his decisions.
Looking ahead, the coaching staff will meticulously evaluate the current squad. From an initial list of 50 players, they will select the final 23 who will represent Indonesia at the U-17 Asia Cup. Kurniawan also mentioned the addition of three new goalkeepers—Matt Baker, Noah, and Mike—to the selection pool. “In the coming days, we will thoroughly assess to choose the best players,” he confirmed, emphasizing the urgency of the selection process.
Indonesia’s goalkeeper, Abdillah Ishak, who delivered a standout performance with several critical saves, expressed his confidence and relief. “I played freely because I was entrusted by the coach, and I did not want to let the country down,” Abdillah remarked. He further committed to enhancing his skills through consistent training and competitive try-out matches, recognizing that the coaching staff’s trust is paramount to his development. “The most crucial thing is to be trusted by the coaching staff, so I must work hard in training,” he affirmed.
The AFF U-17 2026 Cup semifinals are set to feature two exciting clashes at Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo. Laos, qualifying as Group B champions, will face Malaysia, Group A’s runner-up, at 15:30 WIB on Wednesday, April 22nd. Malaysia secured their spot after a 2-0 victory over Timor Leste in their final group stage match.
In the second semifinal match, Vietnam, who topped Group A with seven points, will go head-to-head with Australia, the Group C champions. This highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for the same day at 19:30 WIB. The winners of both semifinal matches will advance to the final on April 24th, while the losing teams will compete for third place, concluding the tournament’s thrilling knockout stages.
Summary
The Indonesia U-17 National Team failed to advance to the AFF U-17 2026 Cup semifinals after a goalless draw against Vietnam. Coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto viewed this setback as a crucial learning experience for the upcoming U-17 Asia Cup, noting the suboptimal execution of their defensive and counter-attacking strategy. He clarified that this cautious approach was a deliberate part of their long-term preparation.
Kurniawan emphasized the importance of improving the team’s transition from defense to attack. The coaching staff will now meticulously evaluate the current squad, selecting the final 23 players for the Asia Cup and considering new goalkeepers. Goalkeeper Abdillah Ishak, recognized for his critical saves, expressed confidence and committed to continuous skill development.