KUDUS – Della Citra Ayu Anggraeni and Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi have reached a new milestone in their careers. The two athletes competed in the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup in Kudus, representing two separate Indonesian squads: Della played for Garuda Pertiwi, while Asyifa suited up for Putri Nusantara.
Their rise to this level was a gradual process. Della and Asyifa were previously members of the Spegaku Balistha U-15 team at SMP 3 Kudus, where they underwent rigorous training and match play alongside their peers.
Della joined SMP 3 Kudus in 2024, with Asyifa following in 2025. Both players have been involved in football since primary school, participating in youth competitions before joining the structured coaching program at the middle school level.
This foundation eventually led to their selection for the U-17 Women's National Team training camp and an international training program at The Clairefontaine Academy in France as part of a broader youth development initiative.
That experience is now being applied at the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup. For the Spegaku Balistha program, their success on the national stage serves as a testament to the effectiveness of long-term youth development.
Girls' football training at SMP 3 Kudus is conducted through the Special Sports Class (KKO), which provides a dedicated environment for students with athletic talent.
Spegaku Balistha coach and SMP 3 Kudus teacher, Ahmad Rizza Aftoni, explained that students entering junior high school generally have a foundation in basic techniques acquired from elementary school, Islamic primary school, or football academies.
Consequently, training has shifted beyond basics. Players are now directed toward a deeper tactical understanding of the game and its practical application during matches.
"At the junior high level, we provide continuity. We focus on the transition from MilkLife to the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026," Rizza stated.
Youth competitions are an essential part of this developmental pipeline. Della and Asyifa have previously competed in various events, including MilkLife and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, gaining experience that serves them well as they face more demanding levels of play.
A key adjustment for Spegaku Balistha players is adapting to the full-pitch, 11-a-side format.
Della and Asyifa previously played primarily in 9-a-side formats on smaller pitches. Both also participated in selections for the U-16 Women’s National Team, though they were not selected.
Rizza noted that the change in format requires players to improve their spatial awareness and positioning. Playing on a larger pitch requires athletes to manage distances with teammates, identify open space, and make better decisions as match situations evolve.
Training sessions, therefore, incorporate tactical elements, passing-support, positional awareness, and the versatility to perform in multiple roles.
“We want them to not only excel in one spot but to be capable of filling other positions when the team needs it,” Rizza explained.
This approach ensures players are not confined to a single role, encouraging them to understand the team's needs and adapt their play during matches.
While training establishes the fundamentals, matches provide a dynamic environment for players to test those skills under pressure.
Rizza notes that match experience is crucial, as players face unpredictable situations. They must learn to decide when to pass, find open space, defend, or make independent tactical choices.
Matches also allow coaches to identify areas for improvement, which then inform the focus of subsequent training sessions.
This structured cycle ensures development goes beyond technical mastery; players learn to apply these skills effectively and make decisive choices on the pitch.
Della and Asyifa have undergone this training alongside their teammates at Spegaku Balistha. The experience gained in various matches serves as a foundation for their growth when they eventually compete at a higher level.
Beyond physical play, Rizza prioritizes the mental development of his players. He recognizes that each individual reacts differently to pressure and may require specific encouragement to stay confident, particularly when facing stronger opponents.
Consequently, the coach’s approach does not always involve harsh criticism. Rizza prefers to provide encouragement and demonstrate the correct techniques when players make mistakes.
“I always encourage them, saying ‘you can do it.’ Sometimes, harsh words from a coach can make children feel discouraged. So, we prefer to approach them and show them the correct way,” Rizza explained.
This approach is central to daily training, as players are guided to understand their errors and correct them without losing the confidence to stay in the game.
For Rizza, this development is vital, as a player's growth is measured not only by their ball skills but also by how they respond to various situations on the field.
Player evolution is also evident in their attitudes within the team environment.
Rizza pointed to Della, who was initially quiet and shy. As she gained experience, she began to integrate more easily with her teammates and was eventually named captain of Spegaku Balistha.
This role carries new responsibilities; Della is now expected to look beyond her own performance and take on a leadership role among her peers.
Meanwhile, Asyifa has shown significant improvement in managing her emotions during play.
“She has learned to control her temper and is more mature and decisive on the field. It is not about being aggressive, but being assertive,” Rizza noted.
These changes demonstrate that the school’s developmental program successfully aligns technical skill growth with character development.
Della and Asyifa continue to grow alongside their teammates at Spegaku Balistha. Their colleagues have witnessed this transformation firsthand, looking to both players as role models in their own football journey.
Amira Sailin Nihla, goalkeeper for SMP 3 Kudus, has observed the pair closely during training. According to Amira, both players have become noticeably more aggressive and agile.
However, when asked what she most admires or wishes to learn from them, her answer was not about specific techniques.
“Their fighting spirit,” Amira replied.
She expressed a desire to follow in her friends' footsteps to reach the national team. For Amira, the experience of Della and Asyifa demonstrates that players from school programs have the opportunity to advance further in their careers.
Clea Rista Naura Baihzara, an eighth-grade student at SMP 3 Kudus who plays as both a midfielder and forward, has also taken note of their skills.
According to Clea, a standout feature of their performance is how Della and Asyifa distribute the ball, utilizing fast and accurate passing. She noted that they do not hold onto the ball for too long, allowing them to make quicker decisions.
"I want to emulate their style of play," Clea said when asked what she hopes to learn from them.
Off the pitch, Della and Asyifa remain close with their peers. Amira and Clea said both players continue to joke around and socialize with their teammates.
The opportunity to play in the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 marks a new developmental milestone for Della and Asyifa following their training at Spegaku Balistha.
For Rizza, reaching the national level is not the end of the training process. Rather, that experience serves as a crucial stage for continued player development.
"There is still much to learn; they should not be easily satisfied," Rizza emphasized.
He noted that players who have reached a higher level must continue to gain experience and address areas that need improvement, using these experiences as a basis for further professional growth.
They still have room to improve their game and gain more experience.
New Hopes for the Next Generation
The experience of Della and Asyifa extends beyond the individual success of two players. For the Spegaku Balistha community, their presence on the national team level provides a new perspective for players still training at the school.
Indah Setyaningsih, mother of Clea Rista Naura Baihzara, views the opportunity gained by Della and Asyifa as a formative experience that broadens children's horizons regarding soccer.
"They are increasingly motivated. It turns out it's not just for the city scope, it can actually extend overseas to an international level," she said.
Indah hopes Clea can develop according to her own abilities, opting to provide support without setting specific performance expectations.
"The hope is always there, but it all depends on each child's path. I just support her," she stated.
For Rizza, the duo's experience serves as further incentive to keep opening doors for other players in Kudus.
"Hopefully, in the future, more children can join the national team," she added.
Della and Asyifa have now reached a higher stage, competing with Garuda Pertiwi and Putri Nusantara in the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup after progressing through various stages as young players at Spegaku Balistha.
However, the training journey does not stop with these two. On the same field, other players continue to train, compete, learn from mistakes, and witness firsthand how their peers evolve.
For Spegaku Balistha, the success of Della and Asyifa is a tangible result of their development process. The hope is that their experience serves as a foundation for the next generation of Kudus players to reach higher levels of competition. (oeb/ysr/mainkekudus)
