Kudus – Soccer matches are usually remembered for their goals, victories, or standings. However, amid the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, stories are unfolding far from the spotlight of the stands and cameras—tales of camaraderie, discipline, compassion, and personal growth.
For these young athletes, the tournament is more than just a venue to test their skills on the pitch. While in Kudus, they have embraced a routine that builds character, fosters new friendships, and provides experiences that may prove more lasting than the final score of any game.
Behind every jersey lies a journey not always visible to the public. While the roar of the crowd is a memorable part of any match, the players' lives extend well beyond the 90-minute window. Their days begin before sunrise, waking roommates, preparing for training, competing, and concluding the night with group evaluations.
There are also moments of mutual support after a loss, comfort for injured teammates, and casual conversations before sleep. This is the life these athletes have navigated while participating in the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 in Kudus.
For Rengganis Wijanarto, captain of the JP U-18 Jakarta regional women's team, the journey to the All Stars has been more than an opportunity to wear the team jersey; it has transformed her perspective on teamwork and athletic responsibility.
Each morning, she and her roommate start their day with Subuh prayers, tidy their room, and prepare for a full schedule of activities, training, and matches. After playing, their work continues with ice baths for recovery, group prayers, dinner, and collective evaluations.
"I talk most frequently with my roommate after a match. Since we both play as midfielders, we critique each other's positioning, discuss mistakes, and find solutions together," said the Jakarta-born athlete on Tuesday (7/7/2026).
For Rengganis, the camaraderie forged during her time in Kudus stands as one of her most cherished experiences. Meeting athletes from various regions provided a space to connect, learn, and share common aspirations.
This sentiment is shared by her roommate, Ilmira Octo, who views their shared room as the most simple yet sincere space for them to truly get to know one another.
She recalls Rengganis’s habit of waiting to fall asleep until she was accompanied. Small gestures—waking each other up in the morning, preparing gear, and listening to music together before matches—have slowly evolved into lasting memories.
The moment that stands out most for her occurred during the first match when she was injured. Without being asked, Rengganis immediately helped provide a compress and stayed with her until she recovered.
“She was so attentive. That is the one thing I remember most about my roommate,” she said.
For Putri JP U-18 Jakarta head coach Herry Susilo, such simple stories are a vital part of the development process. He believes that the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars is not just a platform for finding champions, but a venue for building strong character.
While supervising his players in Kudus, he observed positive growth in their daily habits. They are learning to be more responsible, disciplined, and considerate of others. As such, off-field behavior is considered just as important as on-field performance.
“Attitude is number one. No matter how well they play, without a good attitude, I don’t think they will last. We want them to be good individuals, both on the field and in their daily lives,” Herry emphasized.
He added that the team's goals extend beyond match results, emphasizing the importance of preparing players for higher-level competition both as athletes and in their future endeavors.
According to him, while every match tests the players' technical skills, the experiences they share throughout the tournament offer distinct lessons.
“Every match tests technical ability, but life off the pitch teaches the value of compassion, discipline, and friendship,” he explained.
As the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 reaches its midpoint, every match is increasingly critical for each team's progress. Yet, alongside the competition, personal growth continues to unfold off the field.
In Kudus, the players arrived wearing the same jersey with a shared objective. Beyond their uniforms lies a journey forged through daily routines, togetherness, empathy, and learning—an experience they may remember long after the match results have faded. (ITN/DN/mainkekudus)