Kudus – On the field, they wear the same jersey. They chase the ball, support one another, and fight to propel their team as far as possible in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) All Stars 2026. Yet, long before the referee's whistle signals the start of a match, each player has already navigated a unique and personal journey.
Some have endured grueling practice sessions, others have fought to recover from injuries, and some have grown under the unwavering support of parents who never miss a match from the stands. There are even families who travel for hours just to watch their children play for a few minutes on the pitch.
The quarterfinals are among the most decisive stages in any tournament. However, for these young players, the journey to this point has been paved with hard work, discipline, and sacrifices that often remain unseen by the spectators.
This sentiment is shared by the players of All Stars Kudus. Advancing to the final eight has been no easy feat. Every match has served as a reminder that victory is born from a sense of togetherness cultivated from the very beginning.
Defensive midfielder Sabrina Dwi Listiana admitted that her team's path to this stage was difficult. She noted that mutual encouragement has been the players' most valuable asset.
“The struggle to reach the quarterfinals was very tough. My teammates and I have always supported one another to remain optimistic. Even though we previously beat Tangerang in the group stage, we cannot underestimate them. We must keep reminding each other and continue to work hard,” Sabrina said.
The Cristiano Ronaldo enthusiast added that behind her drive lies the prayers and support of her parents, which serve as her greatest motivation. That support gives her the confidence to face every match, provided the players maintain the discipline to follow their coach's instructions.
All Stars Kudus center-back Hafiza Khairunalista shares that same sentiment. For her, reaching the quarterfinals brings both a sense of pride and a heightened sense of responsibility.
“I am very happy to have made it this far. My biggest motivation is the support of my parents who are always cheering me on,” she said.
As with previous matches, Hafiza maintains her usual pre-game routine: warming up, focusing, and stepping onto the field with the belief that every opponent deserves respect.
“We are optimistic, but we remain cautious because our opponents also possess great quality,” she added.
Behind the players' readiness lies a process carefully overseen by the coaching staff. All Stars Kudus coach Yayat Hidayat prefers not to change much ahead of a significant match, believing that the team must maintain the style of play that brought them this far.
"The players are well-prepared. I constantly remind them to maintain their hard work and discipline. There are no specific instructions; we will play as we always do," he said.
This discipline extends beyond training sessions. Yayat has also established a strict sleep schedule for the players to ensure their physical condition remains optimal.
"We collect all mobile phones at 9 p.m. every night so they can get proper rest. We also manage their diet and physical health. We have no specific goal targets, but if an opportunity arises, they must capitalize on it," Yayat explained.
Meanwhile, for the Tangerang All Stars, the path to the knockout stage has offered different lessons. Their loss to Kudus in the group stage has served as a catalyst to rebuild confidence.
Coach Leonardo Sedubun stated that his team is arriving with renewed conviction, noting that knockout matches provide equal opportunities for every side.
"That previous defeat is now our motivation. This is a knockout stage, so we will give 100 percent. Most importantly, the players need to believe in themselves, stay focused, and maintain their health. We are aiming to pull off a surprise," he said.
This optimism is echoed by Angelina Saeralita Mongan, who believes the team's spirit stems from the camaraderie built daily—from praying together and warming up, to supporting one another before matches commence.
"It is our coach and teammates who keep us motivated. Before we play, we always pray, warm up, and encourage each other. We are confident heading into this match," she said.
However, the challenges at the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars are not confined to the pitch. Behind every player, there is a family supporting them through the journey.
In the stands, Annas rarely took his eyes off the field. Whenever his daughter, Queisha Sava, a goalkeeper for the All Stars Kudus, touched the ball, his voice could be heard cheering her on.
For Annas, seeing his daughter don the All Stars jersey is the result of a long journey taken together as a family.
“My daughter's struggle involved many sacrifices, both material and moral. I always attend her matches to cheer her on from the stands. Off the field, I always remind her to keep learning and growing,” he said.
Queisha began participating in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge in the fourth grade. Now, the opportunity to play with the All Stars squad is a source of immense pride for her family.
“I hope she wins, of course. If the result is different, that is part of the game—there are wins and losses. But I remain optimistic,” he added.
Another story comes from Melpi Aprianti, mother of Kamelia Putri Aryanti, a midfielder for the All Stars Bekasi. To support her daughter in Kudus, she undertook a nearly nine-hour solo road trip from Bekasi.
For her, supporting her child is not just about being there for the victories, but also accompanying her through every step of the process.
“It is all for my child. Time, energy—everything is sacrificed. As a parent, you naturally worry about injuries, especially because she is a girl. But seeing her enjoy playing football, we fully support her,” she said.
Although the All Stars Bekasi's campaign ended in the group stage, Melpi remains proud of her daughter's development. The experience gained during the tournament serves as valuable preparation for her future endeavors.
Another challenge was faced by Annisa Nur, a midfielder for the All Stars Surabaya. Before the match, she suffered a leg injury during practice after being stepped on by a teammate. While there was initial concern, it dissipated once she made a full recovery.
“I sustained an injury during practice after a teammate stepped on my foot, but I have fully recovered. My preparation has focused on maintaining a healthy diet, getting to bed early, and ensuring all my gear is ready before the match,” said the Surabaya-born athlete.
Surabaya All Stars coach Sai Dong said the greatest challenge heading into the knockout stage is not just maintaining player fitness, but also rebuilding confidence following the team's loss in the group phase.
“We have analyzed our opponent's strengths and weaknesses, but we will continue to play according to our own identity,” he said.
He added that since some players are not yet at full capacity, the coaching staff has prepared substitutes.
“The most important thing is restoring the players' mental state because today's match is different. If we lose, our run ends. We are here with a goal to win; we are not preparing ourselves for defeat,” he emphasized.
Ultimately, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars does more than bring together the best teams from various regions. The tournament highlights how a young athlete's dream is built through grueling training, consistent discipline, supportive coaches, teammates, and families who serve as constant supporters at every step. Behind their uniform jerseys lie unique journeys, all converging on a single goal: continued growth through football. (JMY/ITN/mainkekudus)
