Indonesia's Tough Test in AFC U-17 Asian Cup Begins, China First Opponent

The first match could determine the course of Indonesia U-17's journey in the 2026 U-17 Asian Cup. China U-17 will face Indonesia at King Abdullah Sports City Training Stadium, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday night WIB.

This match isn't just an opener, but the foundation for Garuda Muda's campaign in Group B, which features Asian powerhouses.

High pressure has been palpable from the start, and coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto recognizes the importance of momentum in the opening game.

“Everyone agreed to introspect. We've evaluated improvements and hopefully in the remaining time before the first match, we can utilize tactical training to face China,” stated Kurniawan on the Indonesian National Team's Instagram account.

The final pre-tournament friendly against Saudi Arabia delivered positive signals. During that match, Indonesia showed significant progress, particularly in implementing gameplay strategies.

However, the path in Group B will undoubtedly be challenging. Besides China, Indonesia must also face Japan U-17 and Qatar U-17—two teams with strong traditions at youth level. Competition is predicted to be tight, with every point becoming crucial.

After the duel against China, Indonesia will continue their campaign against Qatar on May 9 before concluding the group stage against Japan (May 12). These three matches will be the ultimate test for the Indonesian youth squad's mentality and quality.

Amid expectations and challenges, the match against China marks the starting point—a moment to prove Garuda Muda is ready to compete at the Asian level.