The U-17 Women's National Football Team squad is finally formed

Several experienced players in the national team, such as Claudia Scheunemann, are included in the Indonesian squad for the U-17 Women's Asian Cup.

PSSI

The players of the women's national U-17 football team selected through two waves of selection in Jakarta took a group photo in the Gelora Bung Karno area, Senayan, Jakarta last April. A total of 23 players were chosen to participate in the U-17 Asia Cup 2024 in Bali from May 6-19.

BALI, KOMPAS - After two selection waves and almost three weeks of training, the Indonesian women's national team for the 2024 Under-17 Asian Cup has finally been formed. A total of 23 players from several regions in Indonesia were selected based on the coach's established standards. Some of the players have previously played for national age group teams.

PSSI released the list of players for the Indonesian women's national team U-17 on Saturday, May 4, 2024, two days before the Asia U-17 Cup was held in Bali. A total of 23 players were selected from 30 candidates who passed the two rounds of selection in Jakarta.

The selected female players who entered the squad for the Asia Cup represent 12 provinces. The province of Banten has the highest number of representatives, namely four people. They often play and train at football schools or academies. Some of them are also regional athletes.

Also read: Indonesian Women's Team Momentum Learns Lessons from World Level Teams

In the absence of women's football competitions in the country, especially for U-17 to senior players, squad formation was carried out by selection in a short time. The women's national team coach, Satoru Mochizuki, first went on a "blusukan" to women's football training areas from Sumatra to Papua. He based his journey on data collected by PSSI.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

The coach of the Indonesian women's national football team, Satoru Mochizuki (left), and PSSI's Technical Director, Indra Sjafri, are monitoring the abilities of players who are participating in the U-17 national team selection at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta on Wednesday (28/3/2024) night.

From that inspection, Satoru called 38 players to participate in the first wave of selection from March 25-27 in Jakarta. In the second wave of selection from March 29-31, this coach from Japan also called 38 players to show their skills. The two waves of selection resulted in 30 players who were brought to the training center in Bali since April 24.

Satoru sets high standards for the U-17 national team squad. Several aspects are used as evaluation criteria, such as speed and body posture. For example, Satoru is looking for tall and big players who can be trained to win aerial balls.

"In addition, players must also have good communication skills and be able to liven up the match atmosphere. This way, the players can move and energize the team," said Satoru during the first selection wave.

Also read: High Standards for the Women's National Football Team

During the selection, one of the players that Satoru highlighted was the Indonesian-German player, Claudia Scheunemann. According to Satoru, Claudia's abilities are quite outstanding in the field. Satoru also experimented by placing Claudia, who usually plays as a striker, in other positions, including center back.

KOMPAS/REBIYYAH SALASAH

Indonesian women's football player Claudia Scheunemann (left) during a training session with the U-17 women's national team in Jakarta, April 6, 2024. Claudia has been selected as part of the squad to compete in the Women's U-17 Asia Cup in Bali from May 6-19, 2024.

Satoru wants Claudia and other players to experience and adapt to positions outside their usual roles. According to Satoru, in a game, there will be many possibilities, including changes in positions. Satoru then chooses Claudia to be part of the team for the U-17 Asia Cup.

By joining the U-17 squad, Claudia will strengthen Indonesia's national team in three different age groups. Previously, Claudia was also included in Indonesia's squad for the 2022 AFF Women's Under-18 Championship and the 2023 AFF Women's Under-19 Championship.

Claudia's brilliance has also been tested when she played for Indonesia's national team. Born on April 24, 2009, this player scored one goal for Indonesia's 1-0 victory over Singapore in the 2022 AFF U-18 Women's Cup. She also collected a total of five goals in the 2023 AFF U-19 Women's Cup. These accomplishments earned her the title of top scorer and best player in the event held at Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, South Sumatra.

Also read: Challenges Awaiting the New Coach of the Women's National Football Team

Claudia is excited to welcome her first Asian Cup. Although she is in Group A with two teams that have tasted championship titles, North Korea (champion in 2007, 2015, 2017) and South Korea (2009), Claudia is not afraid.

"Whoever the opponent is, Indonesia must be ready. "The point is, you have to play well to win," said Claudia.

PSSI

Indonesian women's football player Claudia Scheunemann (right) celebrates scoring a goal against Laos in the AFF U-19 Cup 2023 at the Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Stadium, Palembang, South Sumatra, in July 2023.

Apart from Claudia, several other players have also represented the national youth team. For example, Zaira Kusuma was once on the same team as Claudia in the U-19 national team for the AFF Cup 2023. Zaira also played for the U-20 national team in the Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers in March 2023. There is also Mayzura Alifa who joined the national team for the AFF U-18 Cup 2022.

The U-17 national team squad is also strengthened by Zahra Nafisa Dwi Agustin from Persib Academy. Zahra is a player who has undergone the Japan-ASEAN sports (soccer) exchange program. While in Japan, Zahra and 14 other U-17 category students played four matches and watched the match between Japan and Uruguay.

Goalkeeper

1. Gadhiza Asnanza - Persib Academy

20. Fairus Khalisa - Central Java

23. Edelweiz Auradiva - Borneo FC Women

Behind

2. Rizka Dwi Juniar - Central Java

3. Amelia Heselio - Papua

4. Nabila Divany - Lampung

5. Wandha Azzahra - Persib Academy

12. Sofia Soll - Papua Mountains

14. Indira Jenna - Banten

16. Zaskia Azzahra - East Kalimantan

17. Nanda Rahmawati - West Java

22. Sola Mananohas - North Sulawesi

Middle

6. Zaira Kusuma - DKI Jakarta

7. Allya Putri - Bangka Belitung

8. Adelia Ramadany - East Java

11. Syafia Chorlienka - Arema Women

18. Zahra Nafisa - Persib Academy

19. Auliah Arifah - Banten

21. Nabila Saputri - Banten

Front

9. Mayzura Alifa - West Java

10. Keyssya Anatassya - DKI Jakarta

13. Claudia Scheunemann - Banten

15. Kikka Putri - Central Kalimantan