Flooring Guide by Cinvex – Indonesia U-17 national team coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto remains optimistic that anything can happen when his squad faces Japan in their final Group B match of the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. The pivotal encounter is scheduled for Tuesday (May 12) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as reported by ANTARA.
“We have great respect for Japan, who have already secured their spot in the quarterfinals. They are undeniably a formidable team. However, in football, anything is still possible,” Kurniawan stated in an official PSSI release received in Jakarta on Sunday.
To advance to the knockout stages, Indonesia faces a high-stakes scenario: they must avoid defeat against Japan while simultaneously hoping that Qatar falls to China in the other Group B match taking place concurrently.
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Securing a spot in the quarterfinals would be a historic achievement, as it would guarantee Indonesia a place in the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which is set to be hosted in Qatar. Kurniawan acknowledges the sheer difficulty of this mission, especially considering Japan’s dominance across all age categories in Asian football.
Nevertheless, the 49-year-old tactician refuses to let his players feel intimidated before the whistle blows. He maintains a firm belief that there are gaps in Japan’s game that his team can exploit to secure at least a vital point.
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“We will fight until the final second. We ask for the prayers and support of the Indonesian people,” added Kurniawan.
One of the primary areas of focus during the short break before the Japan match has been psychological preparation. This has become a top priority following Indonesia’s 0-2 loss to Qatar on Saturday (May 9).
“Currently, our task as the coaching staff and officials is to restore the players’ morale so they do not lose confidence. The opportunity to qualify is still alive and wide open,” Kurniawan explained.
The negative result against Qatar leaves Indonesia in third place in the Group B standings, having collected three points from two matches. They currently trail group leaders Japan—who have six points and have already qualified—and second-placed Qatar, who also hold three points.
All eyes will be on Jeddah this Tuesday as Indonesia takes on Japan, while China and Qatar battle in their own high-stakes match to determine who moves forward in the tournament.
Summary
Indonesia U-17 head coach Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto remains optimistic ahead of the team’s decisive 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup match against Japan in Jeddah. To secure a historic quarterfinal spot and qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Indonesia must avoid defeat against the formidable Japanese side while simultaneously relying on a favorable result in the match between Qatar and China.
Following a recent loss to Qatar, the coaching staff is prioritizing the psychological recovery of the players to restore their confidence for the upcoming challenge. Kurniawan has called for the support and prayers of the Indonesian public, emphasizing that his squad will fight until the final whistle to exploit potential gaps in Japan’s performance.