REPUBLIC.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- PSSI General Chairman Erick Thohir took off the U-17 team's departure for Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Saturday (15/3/2025). The U-17 team will undergo training and trials in Dubai before competing in the U17 Asian Cup on April 3-20 in Saudi Arabia.

Erick encouraged the young Garuda leaders. He called on them to play their best and passionately in pursuit of the main goal of qualifying for the final round of the U-17 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Qatar next November.

“I congratulate the players who have been selected in this team. You guys have been fighting to qualify for the Asian Cup, and you have been training hard during the preparation. So congratulations on the competition. Show your best game, be passionate about chasing the goal of qualifying, at least as group runner up, in order to make it to the U-17 World Cup,” Erick said when removing the foster son of coach Nova Arianto.

Erick said he was optimistic that the U-17 team could do it. He called on the players to prove they are capable and worthy of appearing at the upcoming U-17 World Cup.

With the allocation of eight teams from the U-17 Asian Cup to qualify for the U-17 World Cup, Erick said, the target of qualifying from the group is realistic.

“If two years ago we competed in the U-17 World Cup as hosts, then this time it should be more prestigious by qualifying,” he explained.

Putu Panji and comrades flew to Dubai on Saturday night. During their stay in Dubai, the U-17 team will have three trials against China on March 20, the UAE on March 26, and Australia on March 29.

In the U-17 Asian Cup, Indonesia who were in Group C were joined by South Korea, Yemen, and Afghanistan. The U-17 team advanced to the 2025 U-17 Asian Cup after being one of the best runners up in the qualifiers that took place in Kuwait in 2024. Indonesia took seven points after winning, 1-0 over Kuwait, then 10-0 over the Mariana Islands, as well as a 0-0 draw against Australia.

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