Two Young Players from Kudus, Representing Spegaku Balistha, Have Successfully Advanced to the National Team Level.
KUDUS – Della Citra Ayu Anggraeni and Asyifa Sholawa Farizqi have reached a significant career milestone. Both players are competing in the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup in Kudus, representing two Indonesian sides: Della with Garuda Pertiwi and Asyifa with Putri Nusantara.
Their success did not happen overnight. Both Della and Asyifa were formerly part of the Spegaku Balistha U-15 team at SMP 3 Kudus, where they underwent rigorous training, participated in matches, and received regular performance evaluations.
Della joined SMP 3 Kudus in 2024, followed by Asyifa in 2025. Having played football since elementary school, both had already participated in youth competitions before joining the middle school development program.
This foundation eventually led to their selection for the U-17 women's national team training camp and an intensive training stint at The Clairefontaine Academy in France as part of a youth player development initiative.
Now, they continue to build on that experience at the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup. For Spegaku Balistha, the duo's advancement to the national team level is more than just an individual accomplishment; it serves as a testament to the long-term development program established at the school level.
Building on Youth Competition Experience
Girls' soccer development at SMP 3 Kudus is conducted through the Special Sports Class (KKO), which serves as a training hub for students with athletic interests and talent.
Spegaku Balistha coach and SMP 3 Kudus teacher, Ahmad Rizza Aftoni, explained that students entering middle school typically arrive with foundational technical skills gained from elementary school, Islamic primary school, or dedicated soccer academies.
Consequently, training has moved beyond basics. Players are now directed toward a more comprehensive understanding of the game and how to apply those skills in competitive match scenarios.
"At the middle school level, we are building on that foundation. Our focus is on Hydroplus. The transition from MilkLife to Hydroplus is a natural progression," Rizza said.
Youth competitions are an essential part of that development. Della and Asyifa have previously competed in various events, including MilkLife and Hydroplus. The experience gained from these tournaments provides a vital base for the higher demands of the next level of play.
Developing Tactical Awareness
A key adjustment at Spegaku Balistha involves acclimatizing players to the 11-a-side format on full-sized pitches.
Della and Asyifa previously played primarily in a nine-a-side format on smaller fields. Both players also participated in trials 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. Larger pitches demand that players gauge distances between teammates, identify available space, and make quicker decisions as match situations evolve.
Consequently, training sessions incorporate tactical aspects, passing-support, positional awareness, and the versatility to perform multiple roles.
“It is not just about playing one position; when we need a player to fill a different spot, they are capable of doing so,” Rizza explained.
This approach ensures players are not confined to a single role, encouraging them to understand team requirements and adapt during the course of a match.
Technical Skills Alone Are Not Enough
Training serves as a foundation for learning, while matches provide an environment to test those skills in dynamic situations.
According to Rizza, match experience is vital because players encounter conditions not always present in training. They must decide when to pass, move into space, defend, or make independent tactical decisions.
Matches also allow coaches to identify areas for improvement, which then informs the focus of subsequent training sessions.
Through this framework, development extends beyond technical mastery. Players are guided to understand how techniques are applied in gameplay and how to make effective decisions on the field.
Della and Asyifa have undergone this process alongside their teammates at Spegaku Balistha. The experience gained from various matches contributes to the growth they bring when performing at higher levels.
Mental Readiness
Beyond physical performance, Rizza prioritizes the mental readiness of his players. He notes that individual responses to pressure vary, with some requiring extra encouragement to remain confident when facing opponents they perceive as stronger.
Consequently, the coach's approach is not always based on harsh reprimands. Rizza prefers to provide encouragement and guidance when players make mistakes.
"You can do it, you can do it. However, sometimes harsh words from a coach can make a child feel insecure. So, we sometimes approach them, give examples, and show them the correct way," she explained.
This approach has become a daily routine in training. Players are guided to understand their errors and attempt to correct them without losing the confidence required to return to the game.
For Rizza, such skills are essential because a player's development is reflected not only in their ball handling but also in how they respond to match-day situations.
Growth On and Off the Field
Player evolution is also evident in their attitudes within the team environment.
Rizza noted that Della, who was initially reserved and shy when she first joined, has gained experience and become more integrated with her teammates, eventually earning the captaincy of Spegaku Balistha.
This role brings new responsibilities; Della is expected not only to focus on her own play but also to take on a leadership role among her peers.
Meanwhile, Asyifa has shown improvement in managing her emotions during play.
"She has started to manage her emotions better and has become more mature and decisive in her play. Not aggressive, but rather firm when she sees a situation," Rizza said.
These shifts demonstrate that school-based development programs foster both athletic growth and character building.
Growing Together with Teammates
Della and Asyifa continue to develop alongside their teammates at Spegaku Balistha, who observe these changes firsthand and look to them as role models for learning the sport.
Amira Sailin Nihla, the goalkeeper for SMP 3 Kudus, has grown familiar with the playstyles of Della and Asyifa through training. According to Amira, both players have become noticeably more aggressive and agile on the field.
However, when asked what she hopes to learn from the two players, her response was not about specific techniques.
"Their fighting spirit," Amira replied.
She expressed a desire to follow in her friends' footsteps to the national team. For Amira, the experiences of Della and Asyifa demonstrate that players from school-based programs have the opportunity to advance their careers further.
Clea Rista Naura Baihzara, an eighth-grade student at SMP 3 Kudus who plays as a midfielder and striker, also noted their abilities.
According to Clea, one of the most notable traits is how Della and Asyifa distribute the ball. Their passing is quick and precise, and they avoid holding onto the ball too long, allowing for faster decision-making.
"I want to emulate their style of play," said Clea when asked what she hopes to learn from the pair.
Off the field, Della and Asyifa remain close with their peers. Amira and Clea noted that the duo still enjoys joking around and blending in with their teammates.
National Team Experience Provides New Learning Opportunities
The opportunity to compete in the Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup 2026 marks a new developmental stage for Della and Asyifa following their training with Spegaku Balistha.
For Rizza, playing at the national level is not the end of the development process. Instead, it is another step that players must navigate to continue their growth.
"They still have much to learn and should not be easily satisfied," Rizza emphasized.
He added that players who reach higher levels must continue to seek experience and refine areas of their game that require improvement. These experiences serve as a basis for evaluating and guiding their future development.
They still have room to improve their play and gain more experience.
New Hopes for the Next Generation
The experience gained by Della and Asyifa extends beyond their individual achievements. For the Spegaku Balistha community, their presence on the national stage provides a new benchmark for players still training at the school level.
Indah Setyaningsih, mother of Spegaku Balistha midfielder Clea Rista Naura Baihzara, views the opportunities secured by Della and Asyifa as an eye-opening experience for the young athletes.
"They are increasingly motivated. It turns out that (the sport) is not just for the city level, but can reach international stages," she said.
Indah hopes Clea will continue to develop her potential, though she prefers to offer support without imposing specific outcome expectations on her daughter.
"There is always hope, but it depends on each child's own path. I am just here to support her," she added.
For Rizza, the two players' success serves as motivation to continue creating opportunities for other athletes in Kudus.
"Hopefully, more children will be able to make it to the national team in the future," he said.
Della and Asyifa have moved to a higher level, having represented Garuda Pertiwi and Putri Nusantara in the 2026 Caffino Srikandi Merdeka Cup after progressing through the ranks at Spegaku Balistha.
However, the development story does not end with these two. On the same field, other players continue to train, compete, learn from their mistakes, and witness firsthand how their peers succeed.
For Spegaku Balistha, the success of Della and Asyifa is a tangible result of their development process. The hope is that their experience will serve as a foundation for the next generation of players from Kudus to reach greater heights. (oeb/ysr/mainkekudus)
