From Heartbreak to Hope: Indonesia U-17 Outclassed by North Korea but Set Sights on World Cup
endonesiecorp
April 15, 2025 6:05 am
.
2 min read
Jakarta, Xweb.biz.id – It was a night of heartbreak in Jeddah as Indonesia U-17 suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat at the hands of a clinical North Korea team in the quarterfinals of the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup.
The match started disastrously for Garuda Asia. Choe Song-hun found the net just 7 minutes in, and a deflected strike from Kim Yu-jin soon doubled the lead. Despite showing glimpses of resistance, Indonesia trailed 2-0 at halftime.
After the break, the floodgates opened. Goals from Ri Kyong-bong, Kim Tae-guk (penalty), Ri Kang-rim, and Pak Ju-won sealed a dominant North Korean victory, sending Indonesia home.
Head coach Nova Arianto, though disappointed, expressed nothing but pride in his players.
“This wasn’t the result we dreamed of, but I thank my players for giving it their all. This experience will be valuable as we look ahead to the World Cup,” he said.
Indonesia’s journey doesn’t end here. Having finished as one of the top two in Group C—beating teams like South Korea—they secured their place in the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. Unlike their 2023 debut earned as hosts, this qualification was hard-fought and historic.
Now, Nova and his team shift focus to November, determined to prove that this setback is only the beginning of something bigger.
2025 AFC U-17 Asian CupAFC U-17 quarterfinalsFIFA U-17 World Cup QatarGaruda AsiaIndonesia football newsIndonesia U-17Indonesia U-17 squadIndonesia vs North Korea U-17Indonesia youth teamIndonesian football teamNorth Korea U-17Nova AriantoPiala Asia U-17 2025U-17 World Cup 2025youth football Asia
You might also like
