Progress at the Training Camp Grows the Confidence of the U-17 Women's Team

Indonesian team players show their game progress during preparations for the 2024 U-17 Women's Asian Cup, 6-19 May.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

Young female soccer players showed their skills in the U-17 team selection at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta on April 5, 2024. They were screened to compete in the Women's Asia Cup U-17 in Bali on May 6-19, 2024.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — For almost three weeks, 30 players from the U-17 women's football team underwent a training camp and a series of trials in Bali. Developments during the training camp have increased the players' confidence in welcoming the 2024 U-17 Women's Asian Cup which will start on May 6.

The centralized training of the U-17 women's team in Bali began on April 14, 2024. Prior to the training, the coaching team conducted two selection rounds in Jakarta. The selections on March 25-27 and March 29-31 resulted in 30 players being brought to Bali.

In Bali, the players undergo training in two sessions, morning and afternoon. The U-17 women's team also underwent a series of six trial matches. In the latest trial on Wednesday (1/5/2024), they defeated Arema Putri 2-1. The women's team also won in three other matches.

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Zaira Kusuma, one of the players who took part in the training camp, said that in the last trial, the team appeared more unified. The players can implement what is expected and instructed by Coach Satoru Mochizuki.

"The difference is really noticeable compared to the first three trials. At that time, we made a lot of mistakes, such as the distance between players being too far, communication being less smooth, and dribbling the ball for too long. Now there has been development. So, we are also confident for the match," said Zaira, contacted from Jakarta, on Saturday (4/5/2024).

During the training camp, according to Zaira, Mochizuki emphasized the importance of playing simple for the players. The Japanese coach wants the players to keep moving while utilizing short passes. To achieve this, Mochizuki also constantly reminds players to improve communication both on and off the field in order to support the smoothness of the game.

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According to Zaira, communication within the team began to run smoothly as chemistry grew between the players. Moreover, the coaching team limits the use of cell phones so that the players can build more relationships with their teammates.

Playing organization, individual and group tactics still need to be improved.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

The coach of Indonesia's women's soccer team, Satoru Mochizuki (left), and PSSI Technical Director Indra Sjafri, are monitoring the abilities of players participating in the U-17 team selection at Field A Gelora Bung Karno, Senayan, Jakarta on Wednesday (28/3/2024) evening.

"In the latest trial, we want to prove that we understand and can apply the training results. We also feel that we are starting to enjoy the match and do not feel tired because we play more simply," said the player who has previously strengthened the U-19 and U-20 teams.

The training material provided by Mochizuki is not much different from when the players were still undergoing selection in Jakarta. The players often practice short passes to build an attack. He also demands that players think quickly when holding or losing the ball. This is also emphasized so that players are accustomed to transitioning from attacking to defending or vice versa.

Regarding the series of trials, Satoru does not want to focus on the match results. Satoru is more interested in seeing the extent of the players' understanding of the game patterns given during training.

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"We need to better prepare the team. The organization, individual and group tactics still need to be improved," said Satoru, who was a member of the coaching team for Japan's national team when they won the 2011 Women's World Cup.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

The coach of the Indonesian women's soccer team, Satoru Mochizuki (left), closed the selection for the U-17 team at Field A of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday (28/3/2024) night.

Indonesia will start their journey in the AFC U-17 Cup by facing fellow Southeast Asian team, the Philippines, on Monday (May 6th, 2024). The match will be held at 7:00 pm Wita at I Wayan Dipta Stadium. On the same day, at 4:00 pm, North and South Korea will also compete at Bali United Training Center.