Indonesia U-17 will take on North Korea U-17 in a highly anticipated quarterfinal match of the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. The game is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 WIB (Western Indonesia Time) on Monday, April 14, at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Indonesian fans can catch the match live on RCTI and GTV.
This marks a historic meeting between the two teams, as Indonesia and North Korea have never played against each other at the U-16 or U-17 levels before, either in official tournaments or friendly matches.
A First-Time Clash on the Asian Stage
Despite participating in multiple editions of the U-17 Asian Cup, Indonesia and North Korea have never crossed paths. Both countries featured in the 1986, 1988, 2010, and 2018 editions of the tournament, but the draw kept them apart.
In 1986, Indonesia finished last in Group A, while North Korea placed second in Group B and later secured third place overall. Two years later, both teams struggled, with Indonesia and North Korea ending at the bottom of their respective groups.
By 2010, North Korea had found their rhythm and won the tournament, beating Uzbekistan 2-0 in the final. In contrast, Indonesia did not progress past the group stage, placing third. In 2018, both sides topped their groups but were knocked out in the quarterfinals — Indonesia fell to Australia, and North Korea lost to Tajikistan.
Road to the Quarterfinals: Indonesia’s Winning Streak vs North Korea’s Consistency
Indonesia’s path to the quarterfinals has been impressive. The team won all three group matches in Group C:
- Beat South Korea 1-0
- Defeated Yemen 4-1
- Closed with a 2-0 win over Afghanistan
North Korea, placed in Group D, also advanced with solid results:
- Drew 1-1 with Iran
- Won 3-0 against Tajikistan
- Finished with a 2-2 draw against Oman
These results put Indonesia at the top of Group C with 9 points, while North Korea secured second place in Group D with 5 points.
Past Performances: North Korea’s Titles vs Indonesia’s Rising Form
North Korea has been a strong team in Asian youth football. The country has joined the U-17 Asian Cup 12 times and lifted the trophy twice, in 2010 and 2014.
Indonesia, on the other hand, has participated in the tournament seven times, with the best finish being fourth place in 1990. However, the team’s recent form shows promise and signals a rising era in Indonesian youth football.
Players to Watch: Evandra and Pak Lead the Scoring Chart
Indonesia’s Top Scorers:
- Evandra Florasta – 3 goals
- Fadly Alberto – 2 goals
- Zahaby Gholy – 2 goals
North Korea’s Key Players:
- Pak Kwang-song – 2 goals
- Ri Kang-rim – 2 goals
These players are expected to play key roles in the quarterfinal match, and their performance could decide who moves forward to the semifinal.
Looking Ahead: U-17 World Cup on the Horizon
Both Indonesia and North Korea have already secured qualification for the 2025 U-17 World Cup, adding more excitement to this clash. This is North Korea’s sixth time at the U-17 World Cup. Their best performance was a quarterfinal finish in 2005.
For Indonesia, this is only their second appearance. They previously qualified as hosts in 2023 and did not progress past the group stage. The 2025 tournament will be a fresh chance for the young Garuda squad to show their strength on a global platform.
Semifinal Spot at Stake
The winner of this match will go on to face Uzbekistan in the semifinal. Both teams are hungry for victory and a chance to reach the final stage of the Asian Cup.
The stakes are high, and fans can expect a thrilling match full of energy and determination. With rising stars and experienced coaching, both Indonesia and North Korea are ready for a memorable clash.
