Indonesia vs China Opens Full Young Garuda Schedule at U-17 Asian Cup

Saturday, 2 May 2026 | 13:00

Author: Arif S

Arsip - Pelatih Indonesia U-17 Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto memimpin latihan.
Source: Antara Foto/Rivan Awal Lingga

Summary

1. Indonesia U-17 begins its 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign in Group D against China U-17, Qatar U-17, and Japan U-17.

2. The tournament in Jeddah is critical, as the top two finishers in each group advance to the quarter-finals and qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

3. Indonesia's "Garuda Muda" squad features 23 players, including three diaspora talents like Mathew Baker, who brings prior tournament experience.

Indonesia U-17's journey on the Asian stage will begin next week. A busy schedule in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, serves as the initial test for this new generation of Young Garuda. With a ticket to the 2026 U-17 World Cup at stake, each group stage match feels like a final.

Grouped in Group B with Japan U-17, Qatar U-17, and China U-17, Indonesia will open their campaign against China on Tuesday, May 5th at 23:30 WIB.

After that, the squad coached by Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto will face Qatar on Saturday, May 9th at 23:30 WIB.

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Indonesia's final match in the tournament, scheduled for May 5-22, is against Japan on Tuesday, May 12th at 23:00 WIB.

The Indonesia U-17 squad departed for Jeddah last Saturday, bringing 23 players.

Young Garuda are strengthened by three Diaspora Players. They are Mike Rajasa (FC Utrecht), Noha Pohan (NAC Breda), and Mathew Baker (Melbourne City), the only U-17 player who participated in last year's U-17 Asian Cup and U-17 World Cup.

They will stand shoulder to shoulder with players who previously represented Indonesia at the ASEAN U-17 Championship some time ago in East Java, including Noah Leo Duvert, Putu Ekayana, Zidane Raditya, Chico Jericho, and Dava Yunna.

In the 2026 U-17 Asian Cup, the top two teams from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals and simultaneously secure spots in the 2026 U-17 World Cup in Qatar.

Last year, Indonesia, coached by Nova Arianto, reached the quarter-finals of the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup and secured a ticket to the 2025 U-17 World Cup.

At that time, Indonesia, strengthened by the generation of Evandra Florasta and Zahaby Gholy, won all three Group C matches. Young Garuda defeated South Korea 1-0, Yemen 4-1, and Afghanistan 2-0. Indonesia's run was then halted by North Korea 0-6 in the quarter-finals.

Now, with the schedule upon them, the true challenge for Young Garuda is not just who their opponents are, but how to maximize every minute in the group stage to keep the dream alive.

Quick Answer

Indonesia U-17 Asian Cup Schedule: Opens vs China in Group B

Indonesia U-17 opens their AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign against China on May 5 at 23:30 WIB, followed by Qatar on May 9 and Japan on May 12 in Group B matches. The top two teams qualify for both the quarter-finals and 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Group B matches: China (May 5), Qatar (May 9), Japan (May 12)
23-player squad includes diaspora talents Mike Rajasa, Noha Pohan, and Mathew Baker
Top two teams qualify for U-17 World Cup and tournament quarter-finals
Tournament held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from May 5-22
Indonesia reached quarter-finals in previous 2025 U-17 Asian Cup

Indonesia U-17 begins their crucial AFC U-17 Asian Cup journey against China on Tuesday, May 5 at 23:30 WIB in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This Group B opener launches a demanding schedule where every match carries high stakes, with qualification for both the tournament quarter-finals and 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup on the line.

Group stage fixtures

Following the China opener, coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto's squad faces Qatar on Saturday, May 9 at 23:30 WIB. Their final group match comes against Japan on Tuesday, May 12 at 23:00 WIB. All matches occur during the tournament window running from May 5 to 22.

Squad composition

The 23-player Young Garuda squad features three diaspora talents: Mike Rajasa (FC Utrecht), Noha Pohan (NAC Breda), and Mathew Baker from Melbourne City. Baker brings valuable experience from last year's U-17 Asian Cup and World Cup campaigns. They join domestic talents including Noah Leo Duvert, Putu Ekayana, Zidane Raditya, Chico Jericho, and Dava Yunna.

Tournament significance

Advancement requires a top-two finish in Group B, which secures both a quarter-final spot and automatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Last year, Indonesia won all three group matches to reach the quarter-finals and qualify for the 2025 U-17 World Cup, defeating South Korea, Yemen, and Afghanistan before falling to North Korea.