Several clubs from eight countries will participate in a youth-level tournament in Indonesia, featuring three categories: U-17, U-12, and U-10.
The tournament, titled Garuda International Cup 2024, will see participation from Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) of Malaysia, Guangzhou FC of China, and Shonan Bellmare of Japan.
Additionally, teams like Woodland Warriors from Singapore, Zhejiang FC from China, De La Salle Zobel and Southridge Admirals from the Philippines, and Chiangmai FC from Thailand will also take part.
Other participants include Vachiralai United from Thailand, Fajar Selatan from Malaysia, Tokyo Selection White from Japan, Boeung Ket FC from Cambodia, HLGC from Malaysia, and Tokyo Selection Purple from Japan.
Producing Three U-20 Indonesian National Team Players
This youth-level tournament is expected to contribute to Indonesia’s youth national teams, as it did in 2023 by producing players like Ji Da Bin, Marselinus Ama Ola, and Meshaal Hamzah Bashier Oman.
Currently, Ji Da Bin, Marselinus Ama Ola, and Meshaal Hamzah Bashier Oman have successfully made it to the Indonesia U-20 National Team, coached by Indra Sjafri.
“We hope that the GIC can once again produce players for Indonesia’s youth national teams, just as it did in 2023 with Ji Da Bin, Marselinus Ama Ola, and Meshaal Hamzah, who are now part of the U-20 National Team under Indra Sjafri,” said GIC Project Director, Wahyu Budiarto.
International Tournament
Meanwhile, Shun Ogino, Director of Business Development at Shonan Bellmare, expressed his pride in being invited to this tournament, especially since it is an international event.
“First and foremost, the main reason we are participating in this tournament is, as I mentioned before, the most valuable aspect of this tournament is its international status,” Shun Ogino added.
“So the players can learn from players around the world, from different countries—how to communicate, how to play. If we play in Japan, we wouldn’t experience or learn these things.”
“I want the players to experience the international atmosphere, to feel the differences, the diversity, and I want them to grow. That’s the main reason why we are participating. Secondly, one key difference, and I think this is somewhat of the same answer.”
“In Japan, most people are Japanese, and, as you know, the opponents are also Japanese. There aren’t many foreign players in Japan. So this tournament offers a rare and very, very valuable experience that the players can gain. That’s the difference. Not completely different, but that’s the value,” he explained.
Tournament Schedule
The youth-level tournament, now in its fourth edition following events in 2015, 2022, and 2023, will be held at ASIOP Training Ground, Bogor Regency, from August 22-25, 2024.
“China and Japan are serious contenders, as the teams coming to Indonesia include Guangzhou FC, known for their reputation in Asia, and Zhejiang FC from China. There’s also JDT from Malaysia, Shonan Bellmare from Japan, plus Tokyo Selection,” Wahyu revealed.
“Imagine teams from across Indonesia—from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Bali, and Java—having the opportunity to compete against these great teams. This, I believe, brings us closer to our hope that this tournament will become one of the best, not only in Indonesia but also in Asia. We hope it will become Asia’s Gothia Cup,” Wahyu added.
List of Participants for Garuda International Cup 2024
U-17: ASIOP Merah (Indonesia), Guangzhou (China), Garuda Lampung City FC (Indonesia), Woodland Warriors (Singapura), ASIFA (Indonesia), Zhejiang (China), ASIOP Biru (Indonesia), De La Salle Zobel (Filipina), Diklat Merden (Indonesia), Southridge Admirals (Filipina), TSI (Indonesia), Chiangmai FC (Thailand), ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia), Vachiralai United (Thailand), Farmel (Indonesia), Fajar Selatan (Malaysia).
U-12: Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia), Jakarta Akademi Soccer (Indonesia), Tokyo Selection White (Jepang), ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia), Shonan Bellmare (Jepang), ASIOP Merah (Indonesia), Bijaksana FC (Malaysia), Borneo FC (Indonesia), NFDP (Malaysia), Next Bali Generation (Indonesia), Boeung Ket FC (Kamboja), Shonan Bellmare Indonesia, HLGC (Malaysia), Diklat Merden (Indonesia), Tokyo Selection Purple (Jepang), ASIOP Biru (Indonesia).
U-10: ASIOP Merah (Indonesia), Tunas Johor (Malaysia), Nahusam FA (Indonesia), MJ Tigers (Malaysia), ASIOP Kuning (Indonesia), Wira Muda (Malaysia), Jagakarsa FA (Indonesia), Junior FC (Malaysia), ASIOP Biru (Indonesia), Perdana United (Malaysia), UNI Bandung (Indonesia), Velocity (Malaysia), Shonan Bellmare Indonesia (Indonesia), Topo Soccer Academy (Malaysia), Farmel (Indonesia), Brazilian Soccer School (Indonesia).