HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 Concludes, Embarking Young Athletes on Their Next Chapter

KUDUS – The final whistle at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus on Sunday (July 12, 2026) marked the conclusion of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026. Held over the course of a week, the tournament brought together 16 girls' soccer teams in the U-15 and U-18 categories from various regions for a national-level competition.

While some teams ended the tournament hoisting championship trophies, others walked away with results that fell short of their expectations. Yet, every participant gained valuable experience. The players learned to face match-day pressures, adapt to different opponents' playing styles, and test the results of their ongoing training.

The final day featured two highly competitive matches. In the U-15 category, Goal Aksis faced Cipta Cendekia FA Bogor, while in the U-18 division, Akademi Persib Bandung met Putri Garut to contend for the championship title.

Stadium stands were filled with families, coaches, and supporters providing support throughout the matches. The atmosphere was marked by thunderous applause, cheers of joy, and emotional tears as the final matches concluded.

For the players, the final was more than just their last match in Kudus. They arrived after navigating regional rounds, facing various playing styles, and continuously adjusting throughout the tournament. The final served as the culmination of the journey they had been on since the beginning of the competition.

The Process Matters More Than the Final Result

For Goal Aksis U-15 player Bilqis Fatimah Az Zahra, the championship trophy serves as a reminder of the journey she shared with her teammates.

“We are certainly thrilled; the Goal Aksis team shared the same goal from the start—to travel from Bandung to Kudus and turn our silver into gold,” she said.

This objective was built through long and rigorous preparation. Bilqis explained that her team underwent intensive training for about a month, with morning and afternoon sessions to prepare for the national competition.

“This trophy represents the hard work we put in over a full month; we practiced every day, including morning and afternoon sessions,” she added.

For her, the trophy is not just a symbol of victory but a reminder of the entire process they endured. The experience has further strengthened her determination to continue developing as a soccer player.

“When I look at this championship trophy, I am reminded of the process, which was quite difficult. Personally, my hope is to become a player for the Indonesian national team,” she said.

Meanwhile, Putri Garut U-18 (Garut) had to settle for a runner-up finish in the tournament. Despite missing the championship title, reaching the final remains a valuable experience for the team.

For Putri Garut U-18 (Garut) player Nazwa Bilbina, the disappointment of falling short of the title is inevitable. Nevertheless, she chooses to view the result as part of the developmental process every athlete must undergo.

"Naturally, I feel a bit sad for not securing the championship, but personally, being able to perform here and seeing the team's improvement is positive. After finishing in Kudus, we will continue training. Every match brings wins and losses, and that is all part of the process," Nazwa said.

According to Nazwa, reaching the final demonstrates the growth her team achieved while participating in the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026. The opportunity to face the best teams from various regions serves as valuable experience that complements their ongoing training regimen.

Instead of wallowing in disappointment, Nazwa and her teammates are using this result as motivation to continue training. To her, the journey in Kudus is not the end of a dream, but part of a process to build skills and return to competition with better preparation.

Nazwa holds a simple philosophy: in soccer, there will always be both wins and losses. Both form an essential part of the journey that shapes an athlete's character and enhances their experience.

Continuous Learning and Training

Goal Aksis’s victory in clinching the title is also a source of pride for coach Budi Sufarlan. However, he believes the tournament offers benefits that extend far beyond the final score.

During his time in Kudus, Budi noted that he gained significant insights from other participating teams, each bringing unique playing styles and training methodologies to the tournament.

"The most memorable aspect was learning how different teams manage their squads, along with observing various playing characteristics from different regions. I also valued the sense of camaraderie built over the past week," he explained.

He added that experiencing these diverse playing styles serves as an invaluable lesson for the athletes, who must learn to adapt to different scenarios in every match.

"For the athletes, this is a learning process; they are discovering how to respond to their opponents' individual and team characteristics. Experiencing different opponents throughout the group stage has provided them with real-world exposure on the pitch," he said.

Championship Not a Reason for Complacency

Although they secured the trophy, Budi urged his players to maintain their drive for growth. He emphasized that this achievement in Kudus should be a foundation for future targets, not a reason to believe they have reached their peak.

"My message to the athletes is not to be overly arrogant with what we have achieved today, and certainly do not become complacent. For our future targets, I want to see them surpass today's performance. If they stop learning, they risk being surpassed by others," he cautioned.

This perspective underscores that the development process does not end when a competition concludes; rather, the challenge lies in maintaining consistency in training after gaining tournament experience.

Competition as a Foundation for Development

Yoppy Rosimin, Program Director for Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, views the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 as a crucial, phased step in the development of women's football.

The launch of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge in 2023 marked the starting point.

"Reflecting on the progress of our women's football, the 2023 MilkLife Soccer Challenge was essentially the trailblazer. The growth of these tournaments hasfar exceeded our expectations. Events like the HYDROPLUS Soccer League demonstrate that the foundation is now quite stable," he said.

He hopes to see this foundation continue to expand through more widespread competitions, providing more young athletes with the opportunity to gain essential competitive experience.

“Looking ahead, events should become increasingly festive, and I hope performance will follow suit—whether internationally or through the continued development of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League and MilkLife Soccer Challenge—with both expected to expand further and likely include more cities. The commitment of the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation is clear; despite the initial difficulties in 2023, things have significantly improved,” he explained.

The Experience Taken Home by Every Participant

The conclusion of the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026 did more than crown new champions. The tournament brought together young athletes from various regions in one arena, where they learned from one another, exchanged experiences, and encountered diverse playing styles.

Throughout the tournament, participants were monitored by a scouting team featuring Timo Scheunemann, Jacksen F. Tiago, and Takumi Taniguchi. These observations are part of the selection process for players who may be called up to strengthen the two Indonesian U-16 teams for the Srikandi Merdeka Cup, scheduled for August 14–23, 2026, at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus. This presents a key opportunity for athletes to advance to higher stages of development programs.

For some, the tournament concluded by securing gold medals. For others, the results serve as an evaluation tool to prepare for future opportunities. Regardless, every team left Kudus with invaluable experiences, ranging from handling match pressure and building teamwork to forging friendships with athletes from across the country.

As the stadium lights dim and each contingent returns home, their footballing journey continues. The experience gained over the week serves as a foundation for their ongoing development at their respective local clubs as they prepare for future challenges.

Through the sustained commitment of the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, the HYDROPLUS Soccer League is expected to remain a vital competitive space for young female footballers. Each event is not merely about determining the best team; it serves as a platform for athletes to refine their skills, gain competition experience, and open doors to higher levels of professional development.

(ITN/FZ/mainkekudus)