Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team Cruise to 2027 Asian Cup with Perfect Record, PSSI Praises Championship Mentality

Indonesia's U-17 women's national team secured a place in the final round of the 2027 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup after dominating Group B with a perfect nine points from three matches. A resounding 5-0 win over hosts Singapore in the final fixture on Sunday (11/10/2026) capped a campaign that underscored the dominance of Jazlyn Kayla and teammates throughout qualifying.

The Garuda Pertiwi Muda's run began with a 2-0 win over Bahrain, followed by a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia. Ten goals were scored without a single one conceded—a record rarely achieved by an Indonesian women's team at youth level. That consistency led PSSI Chairman Erick Thohir to say his team had a championship mentality from start to finish.

For Erick Thohir, the achievement is not merely about reaching the final round but proof that youth development is starting to bear fruit. "The greatest praise is due to the players who have worked hard and dared to carry Indonesia's name. However, we must remain humble," he said in Jakarta on Sunday (11/10/2026). He added that the journey in China will be far more challenging and that PSSI is committed to providing the best possible preparation support.

Echoing that sentiment, the chair of PSSI's Women's Football Committee, Vivin Cahyani, viewed the success as a reflection of positive progress in the women's football ecosystem. "The players were able to show discipline, courage, and fighting spirit in every match. The 5-0 win over Singapore also shows this team has strong quality and character," Vivin said. She hoped the achievement would inspire more Indonesian girls to take up football.

"Qualifying for the final round is an important achievement, but the next journey will be more challenging. PSSI will continue to provide support so the Indonesia U-17 Women's National Team can prepare as well as possible for the final round in China." — Erick Thohir, PSSI Chairman

The success is also a signal that long-term investment in women's football is beginning to take shape. Until now, Indonesia's women's teams have often struggled to compete at the Asian level due to limited domestic competition and match exposure. However, this U-17 generation shows that with targeted development and playing opportunities, they can compete. The wins over Saudi Arabia and Singapore—two countries with established women's football programs—give added weight to the ticket to China.

Even so, the real test is yet to come. The final round of the 2027 AFC U-17 Women's Asian Cup will pit Indonesia against Asia's best teams, which have greater squad depth and experience. Coaches and officials are required to prepare strategies, including possible friendlies against strong nations before the tournament. PSSI is said to be facilitating those needs, from training camps to tactical adjustments.

From a development standpoint, this achievement can serve as a foundation for strengthening women's competition at the national level. Without a sustainable league, young talents risk losing momentum once the tournament ends. Therefore, attention now turns to concrete steps by PSSI and stakeholders to keep the ecosystem alive—not just to celebrate a momentary success.

With the ticket in hand, the question now is: can the Garuda Pertiwi Muda repeat their impressive performance in China and reach the knockout stage? The answer will depend on how serious the preparation is over the next six months.