There are not many youth football tournaments in Indonesia that can offer an international experience. The Garuda International Cup (GIC) is one of the few, if not the only one.
The Garuda International Cup has been held four times since it was first organized in Bandung in 2015. The number of participating countries has increased with each edition.
In its inaugural edition, GIC 2015 was only participated in by academy teams from three Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
After a seven-year hiatus, compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, GIC resumed in 2022 and has been held annually ever since. This event is gradually establishing itself as the largest youth football tournament in Asia.
The number of participating countries has continued to grow, starting with five countries in 2022 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, the Philippines), seven in 2023 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan), and eight in 2024 (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, China).
Here is a summary of the Garuda International Cup’s journey from its inaugural edition in 2015 to the latest edition in 2024, compiled by the Daily Sports editorial team.
**1. Garuda International Cup 2015**
Every significant breakthrough has its beginning. The concept of GIC as an international youth football tournament was conceived in 2015, with Bandung chosen as the venue.
GIC I featured 16 teams divided equally into two age categories, U-14 and U-16. ASIOP, the host, fielded two representatives in each age group.
In the U-16 category, the participants were Givova Football Academy (Singapore), Harimau Mega FC Johor (Malaysia), Royal Selangor FA (Malaysia), ISA-GFA (Malaysia), ANZA (Singapore), ASIOP (Indonesia), Tiki Taka Bandung (Indonesia), and ASIFA Malang (Indonesia).
The U-14 tournament featured Maesa Sulut (Indonesia), Harimau Mega FC Johor (Malaysia), Subang Jaya (Malaysia), Royal Selangor (Malaysia), ASIOP (Indonesia), ASIFA Malang (Indonesia), Tiki Taka Bandung (Indonesia), and Banteng Muda (Indonesia).
The champions of the Garuda International Cup 2015 were ASIOP in the U-14 category, while ASIFA Malang emerged victorious in the U-16 category.
**2. Garuda International Cup 2022**
After a seven-year hiatus, the second edition of GIC returned in 2022. The tournament’s location shifted to the ASIOP Training Ground (ATG) in Sentul, ASIOP’s latest training complex.
A total of 32 teams participated, divided equally between two different age categories (U-12 and U-17). Some of the participants were well-known football academies from Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam.
In detail, the 16 teams in the U-17 category included ASIOP, ASIFA, Safin Pati, Sulut United, FABD (Brunei), Woodlands Warriors FC (Singapore), SID FC Kelantan (Malaysia), Central Visayas (Philippines), and Timnas Pelajar BLISPI.
The other 16 teams in the U-12 category included PSIS Development, Akademi Persib Karawang, Elang Mas Sriwijaya, Next Bali Generation, Best FC (Malaysia), AUFC (Malaysia), and ASIOP as the host.
The Garuda International Cup 2022 title was swept by the host ASIOP in both the U-12 and U-17 categories, a remarkable achievement for one of Indonesia’s top academies.
**3. Garuda International Cup 2023**
A year later, GIC III took place again at ATG Sentul. The number of participating countries increased to seven, and the event felt even more special as it was held just before the Indonesian Independence Day celebrations.
A total of 32 teams participated, divided equally between two different age categories (U-12 and U-17). The U-12 category was contested by nine international teams and seven teams from Indonesia.
The nine international teams included Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) Malaysia, Woodlands Warriors Singapore, Brazilian FA Brunei Darussalam, Best FC Malaysia, AT Putrajaya Malaysia, Apuesto Bueno Philippines, NFDP Malaysia, Hijau Kuning Malaysia, and Shonan Bellmare (Japan).
In the U-17 category, nine international teams also participated, including Melaka Sport School Malaysia, FC Katipunan Philippines, Central Visayas Philippines.
Other teams included Woodlands Warriors Singapore, Bangkok FC Academy Thailand, Fajar Selatan Malaysia, Apuesto Bueno FC A and B Philippines, and Bintang Gombak Malaysia.
The Malaysian academy Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) won the U-12 category, while the host ASIOP defended their title in the U-17 category.
**4. Garuda International Cup 2024**
This year, the Garuda International Cup once again demonstrates consistency in advancing youth football in Indonesia. GIC 2024 is set to be even more exciting, with participation from eight countries: Indonesia, China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Singapore.
This marks the fourth edition of the tournament after successful events in 2015, 2022, and 2023. GIC 2024 will be held at the ASIOP Training Ground, Sentul, from August 22-25, featuring three age categories: U-17, U-12, and U-10.
This tournament is even more special as it coincides with Indonesia’s 79th Independence Day celebrations. GIC 2024 also offers a platform for the PSSI to scout the best talents to strengthen Indonesia’s youth national teams, particularly in the U-17 category.
“Garuda International Cup 2024 is moving closer to our initial vision from the first tournament in 2015—that this event could become a major football celebration for Indonesia and one of the best youth tournaments in Asia,” said GIC 2024 Project Director, Wahyu Budiarto.
He also expressed hope that GIC 2024 will once again produce new players for the Indonesian national team. Last year, Ji Da-bin, Marselinus Ama Ola, and Meshal Hamzah emerged from the tournament and are now part of the Indonesia U-19 national team under Indra Sjafri.
Here is the group division for the Garuda International Cup 2024 across three different age categories, scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 22, 2024, to Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Kategori U-17
Grup A
- ASIOP Merah
- Guangzhou FC (China)
- Garuda Lampung
- Woodland Warriors FC (Singapura)
Grup B
- ASIFA
- Zhejiang (China)
- ASIOP Biru
- De La Salle Dobel (Filipina)
Grup C
- ASIOP Kuning
- Vachiralai United (Thailand)
- FIFA Farmel
- Fajar Selatan (Malaysia)
Grup D
- Diklat Merden
- Southridge Admirals (Filipina)
- Top Skor Indonesia
- Chiangmai FC (Thailand)
Kategori U-12
Grup A
- Johor Darul Ta’zim (Malaysia)
- Jakarta Academy Soccer
- Tokyo White (Jepang)
- Next Bali Generation
Grup B
- Shonan Bellmare (Jepang)
- ASIOP Merah
- Bijaksana FC (Malaysia)
- Borneo Soccer School
Grup C
- Hulu Langat Grassroot Centre (Malaysia)
- ASIOP Kuning
- Boeung Ket FC (Kamboja)
- Shonan Bellmare Indonesia
Grup D
- NFDP (Malaysia)
- Diklat Merden
- Tokyo Purple (Jepang)
- ASIOP Biru
Kategori U-10
Grup A
- ASIOP Merah
- Tunas Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
- Nahusam FA
- Melawati Junior Tigers (Malaysia)
Grup B
- ASIOP Kuning
- Wira Muda (Malaysia)
- Jagakarsa
- Junior FC (Malaysia)
Grup C
- ASIOP Biru
- Perdana United (Malaysia)
- Uni Bandung
- Velocity (Malaysia)
Grup D
- Shonan Bellmare Indonesia
- Topo FC
- FIFA Farmel
- Brazilian Soccer School