JAKARTA — Indonesia U-17 head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has issued a heartfelt apology following the national team’s elimination from the 2026 U-17 Asian Cup. The Garuda Muda’s journey concluded on Tuesday night in Jeddah after a 1-3 defeat to Japan in their final Group B match.
This loss leaves Indonesia at the bottom of Group B with three points from three matches, effectively ending their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages and securing a spot in the U-17 World Cup. The tie-breaker format proved costly for Indonesia, as they finished behind China and Qatar on head-to-head goal difference despite all three teams level on three points. Notably, although Indonesia defeated China 1-0 in their opening match, China ultimately advanced alongside Japan after securing a 2-0 victory over Qatar.
Taking full accountability for the team’s performance, Kurniawan expressed his regrets while commending the dedication of his squad and support staff. “On behalf of myself and as the head coach responsible for this team, I apologize for this failure,” Kurniawan stated in an official release from PSSI. “At the same time, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all the staff behind the scenes and to the players for their hard work throughout the tournament.”
Despite falling short of their primary objective, the 49-year-old coach urged his young players to look toward the future rather than dwelling on the disappointment. He emphasized that this setback should serve as a vital learning experience in their development as professional athletes.
“Their careers are still ahead of them. I hope they continue to grow, evolve, and ultimately become high-achieving players in the future,” Kurniawan remarked. He reaffirmed his willingness to shoulder the burden of the team’s exit, stressing that the result rests on his shoulders as the leader of the squad.
In a final message to his team, Kurniawan encouraged them to maintain their spirits and remain committed to their professional journeys. “I told them that this is not the end of the road. Their careers are long; they must keep training and continue to act like true professionals,” he said. Ultimately, the coach expressed his hope that these young talents will remain steadfast in their ambitions to reach higher levels, with the long-term goal of representing the Indonesian senior national team.
Summary
Indonesia U-17 head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has officially apologized following the team’s elimination from the 2026 U-17 Asian Cup. The Garuda Muda finished at the bottom of Group B after a 1-3 loss to Japan, failing to progress despite being level on points with China and Qatar. Consequently, the team also missed the opportunity to qualify for the U-17 World Cup.
Kurniawan accepted full responsibility for the result while praising the hard work and dedication of his players and support staff. He encouraged the young athletes to view the defeat as a valuable learning experience for their professional development. The coach urged the squad to remain focused on their long-term growth with the ultimate ambition of eventually representing the senior national team.