KUDUS – From tentative passes in Kudus to bringing home national pride from Singapore, the journey of these 34 young female footballers is a story worth telling. The MilkLife Strikers Girls U12 squad emerged as champions of the Singa Cup 2026, while the MilkLife Kickers Girls U14 team concluded their campaign as runners-up. Though the results differed, both teams grew from the same foundation: the courage to take risks, the resilience to bounce back from defeat, and the commitment to trusting their teammates.
Selected from the MilkLife Soccer Challenge All Stars 2026 program, these young athletes gathered from across the country to represent Indonesia at the Singa Cup 2026, held in Singapore from October 31 to November 7, 2026.
On the international stage, their skills were rigorously tested. Their journey included emphatic victories that bolstered confidence, narrow defeats that demanded mental fortitude, and tight standings where goal difference ultimately decided the title. Beyond the final scores, however, lay the extensive preparation they shared on the pitches of Kudus.
The MilkLife Strikers Girls U12 squad secured a historic achievement for Indonesian women's football by winning the Singa Cup 2026. In a fiercely contested final on Tuesday (11/3/2026), they defeated Malaysia's Selangor FC Academy A with a 2-1 victory.
The path to the podium was anything but simple. The MilkLife Strikers U12 opened their tournament with a 6-1 win over hosts Lion City Sailors. They followed up with a 13-0 victory over Nepal’s Rato Bangala, before suffering a narrow 0-1 loss to Selangor FC Academy A in the group stage. Despite that setback, they advanced to the final as group leaders.
The defeat did not dampen their resolve. Entering the final, they returned to the pitch with renewed courage, embodying the philosophy instilled by coach Jacksen F. Tiago: embrace mistakes and remain ready to try again.
That bravery paid off. Nadia opened the scoring for Indonesia with a well-placed volley just nine minutes in. Adelice Maureen doubled the lead in the 20th minute, closing the first half with a two-goal cushion. Although Selangor narrowed the gap in the second half, the team’s discipline and mutual trust preserved their lead until the final whistle.
This success was further highlighted when Surabaya native Locita Waranggani was named the Most Valuable Player for the Girls U12 category.
For Jacksen F. Tiago, the pride stemming from this Singapore stage goes beyond simple numbers on a scoreboard. He has witnessed firsthand how his protégés have not only been forged into resilient competitors on the pitch but have also grown into courteous individuals who support one another off the field.
The story of resilience continued with the MilkLife Kickers Girls U14 team. Coached by Timo Scheunemann, the squad concluded the 2026 Singa Cup as runners-up after securing nine points from three victories in four matches. They recorded 26 goals while conceding only two.
Their campaign began with a dominant performance at The Arena Woodleigh, Singapore, on Thursday (11/5/2026). Facing South Coast Baptist College from Australia, the MilkLife Kickers played with clinical precision to secure a 13-0 win. However, a tougher challenge followed in the next match, where tournament hosts Lion City Sailors ended their winning streak with a narrow 1-0 victory.
The defeat did not deter the team. On the second day, Friday (11/6/2026), they regrouped at the Tanglin Rugby Club. They first dispatched Singapore’s BMW with an 8-0 scoreline, before the MilkLife Kickers closed their tournament run with a 5-1 victory over Australian side Fremantle City FC.
The match against Fremantle served as a valuable test of mental toughness. Although MilkLife Kickers fell behind early, they refused to let the deficit dampen their resolve. The players fought back, seized the lead, and steadily extended their advantage to secure victory. In doing so, they demonstrated the true meaning of resilience on the pitch.
Unlike the U12 category, the Girls U14 competition utilized a league format where each team faced one another once. There was no dedicated final match; the championship was determined by the final standings. Lion City Sailors claimed the top spot with nine points and a +32 goal difference, while MilkLife Kickers followed in second with the same point total and a +24 goal difference.
While the U14 squad did not claim the championship trophy, their three victories and their ability to bounce back in an international arena provided significant experience for their future development. For coach Timo, this experience serves as encouragement for the players to remain diligent in training and continue elevating their level of play.
Building Foundations from Kudus
Before the events in Singapore unfolded, the players spent time at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus. Under the coach's rigorous instructions and the intense heat of the pitch, 34 girls trained to sharpen their skills. Some called for passes, others focused on reading their teammates' movements, and many laughed when passes went astray. On this pitch, football was about more than just scoring goals—it was about learning to understand one another.
The training camp in Kudus brought together players from diverse backgrounds, styles of play, and personalities. For some, this was their second time as part of the All Stars squad, while for others, it was an opportunity to step out of their comfort zones and learn to collaborate with peers who were previously their rivals on the field.
Beyond the daily tactical sessions and game schemes, bonds between the participants grew through simple moments off the pitch. Sharing stories in the dorms, eating meals together, and overcoming initial awkwardness helped build mutual trust.
The international experience in Singapore certainly generated excitement, but the process in Kudus served as the essential foundation. Here, these young athletes were not only refined in their understanding of strategy but also grew together as a cohesive team.
Uniting dozens of talented children from diverse regions is no simple task. Fielding a group of top players on paper does not automatically result in a cohesive team on the pitch. Each child arrives with ingrained habits, playing styles, and characters shaped by their respective home environments.
This is where Jacksen F. Tiago plays a pivotal role. As head coach of the MilkLife Strikers Girls U12, his primary mission at the training camp goes beyond physical conditioning; it is about forging chemistry among these young athletes.
Daily, the Brazilian-born coach guides his squad in strengthening fundamental skills, from passing and off-the-ball movement to defensive and offensive transitions. However, Jacksen emphasizes that technical training is merely the starting point. The ultimate goal is to harmonize individual ability with seamless team coordination.
"We provide them the space to experiment without fear of making mistakes. If they err, they try again. It is through these training errors that true learning occurs," Jacksen noted.
For Jacksen, creating a secure learning environment is essential. Under his guidance, the children are empowered to make on-field decisions without the fear of judgment. The courage to bounce back and persist serves as the bedrock of their mental development.
This humanistic approach also informs the intensity of training. Recognizing they are still in their formative years, training is limited to once daily to ensure adequate rest and recovery. Recovery measures, such as ice baths and prioritizing sleep quality, remain integral parts of the preparations for Singapore.
For Jacksen, the progress of young footballers cannot be measured solely by the rigors of field training. It is about nurturing game intelligence, fostering decisive courage, and building self-confidence that will last into their adulthood.
For Jacksen F. Tiago, there is a mission far greater than simply bringing home a trophy. From the outset, he has not viewed championships as the sole benchmark for success. On the pitches of Singapore, his players are carrying a broader mission: proving that girls have equal space and opportunities to thrive through football.
Jacksen hopes his players will leave a lasting impression through a disciplined and engaging performance. He expects this international experience will serve as a spark to inspire other young girls across various regions to take up the game.
“We are not focused on winning. We want to leave a positive impression through an engaging style of play and inspire more girls to take up the sport. We are carrying the flag for women’s football there,” Jacksen said.
Furthermore, this overseas trip is part of a long-term investment. Competing against international teams will broaden their horizons, provide valuable experience, and offer a realistic assessment of the level of play required. It is not impossible that these young athletes will form the foundation of Indonesia’s future women's national team.
While the U-12 squad focuses on team chemistry, the MilkLife Kickers Girls U-14 team faces a different tactical scale. Ahead of the Singa Cup 2026, the team coached by Timo Scheunemann must acclimate to the 11-a-side format—a fundamental shift from the 9-a-side scheme they have played on smaller pitches.
Timo has structured a 10-day training camp, intentionally keeping it brief. For the coach, who has 26 years of experience in the sport, subjecting 13-year-olds to an overly long training camp is counterproductive and risks player burnout.
The training regimen is precision-planned. Technical drills and physical conditioning are high-intensity but short, allowing more time for tactical depth. Beyond on-pitch practice, players also attend classroom sessions to study theory and game strategy.
Timo is emphasizing three core areas: disciplined defensive organization, clear attacking transitions, and the confidence to execute a high press.
“They are learning everything involved in an 11-a-side match, how to defend and attack. The goal is for the play to be patterned rather than haphazard. The defensive organization must be precise. For my part, I am implementing a high press,” said Timo.
The adjustment process proved smooth. According to Timo’s observations, the girls demonstrated a keener grasp and faster adaptation speed compared to their male counterparts in the same age group. They quickly absorbed new tactical schemes, which also helped dissolve the initial awkwardness among players who were previously strangers.
At that time, the true test still lay ahead in Singapore. The U14 squad was prepared to face more experienced opponents, aged approximately 14 to 15, including two teams from Australia and two host nation representatives.
Without setting championship expectations while the opposition's strength remained unclear, Timo chose to be realistic. For the coach, the stage in Singapore was an opportunity for his players to perform freely, gain as much experience as possible, and enjoy every minute of their development in football.
Among the MilkLife Kickers Girls U14 squad members, four young players from Jepara stood out. Due to their positive progress during the training camp, coach Timo Scheunemann noted they had a strong chance of starting in Singapore, provided there were no physical setbacks before match day.
One of them is Rere Zenita Farza. Being trusted to wear the All Stars jersey for a second time is a significant honor for Rere.
However, the path to the starting lineup was not without hurdles. Rere acknowledged that the biggest challenge was integrating with new teammates arriving from various regions. Each player brought unique habits and instincts, both in ball possession and off-the-ball movement.
Communication and a willingness to understand one another are key. The coach's message to maintain team unity has served as the primary guide for Rere and her teammates throughout their training sessions in Kudus.
“We have to understand how they play. The most important direction from the coach is to always stay united,” said Rere.
For Rere, the atmosphere of an international tournament is not entirely new. She previously experienced the intensity of competition at the Junior Soccer School and League (JSSL). That valuable experience serves as a solid mental foundation for her as she prepares to compete in the Singa Cup 2026.
Unlike her coach, who maintains a realistic perspective without setting rigid championship targets, Rere harbors a burning personal ambition. Highly enthusiastic about testing their strength against foreign teams, she has openly declared her determination to bring home a trophy from Singapore.
Another story emerges from the MilkLife Strikers Girls U12 locker room: Andien Haifa Syakira, a young footballer from Jakarta who first discovered the sport through her school team. From the school pitch, her journey continued through an extra training program, eventually earning her a spot on the All Stars squad.
For Andien, this year's selection marks the second time she has experienced the intensity of training alongside players from various regions. Her family welcomed the news warmly; she credits the unwavering support of her parents as an emotional anchor, particularly when nerves and self-doubt arise.
“What makes me nervous is when I lack confidence, like doubting myself. The competition is getting tougher because women's football is on the rise,” Andien said.
Despite the common anxieties felt by a child her age, Andien has learned much during the training camp. One such challenge has been mastering zone defense, a system that demands discipline in maintaining position and tactical responsibility from every player.
Although they are pushed hard on the pitch, the dynamics off the field have helped break the ice. Living and spending time with new teammates has fostered easy conversation, ranging from casual chats to discussions about tactics. This camaraderie in the dormitory has proven effective in erasing any initial awkwardness among the players.
Regarding the coach, Andien has a distinct impression. She describes Jacksen F. Tiago as a warm and engaging mentor. This persuasive approach allows Andien to feel comfortable learning without the fear of making mistakes.
Observing the growing ecosystem of women's football, Andien is both enthusiastic and vigilant. She recognizes that the increasing interest has intensified competition among players. Consequently, she has been determined since the preparation phase to deliver a more mature performance than she did in her previous international appearances.
Beyond pursuing the best possible results in Singapore, Andien holds a loftier ambition for the road ahead. One day, she hopes to wear the Garuda emblem on her chest and play for the Indonesia U-16 national team.
Despite their varying ages, backgrounds, and personal aspirations, the Singa Cup 2026 serves as a meeting point for these young dreams. The MilkLife Strikers Girls U12 and MilkLife Kickers Girls U14 squads arrived in Singapore representing Indonesia while carrying their own individual ambitions.
For coach Timo Scheunemann, participation in this international tournament is part of a broader effort to build the nation's women's football ecosystem. According to Scheunemann, initiatives like the MilkLife Soccer Challenge and the HYDROPLUS Soccer League All Stars 2025/2026, launched by the Djarum Foundation, were not designed simply to create an exclusive team or academy. The primary focus is far more fundamental: providing a healthy competitive platform, scouting hidden talent from remote regions, and guiding them toward sustainable growth.
Timo remains optimistic that this long-term process will eventually supply a pipeline of talented players ready to represent the national team. The tournament in Singapore stands as a crucial milestone for these young athletes.
Meanwhile, Jacksen F. Tiago hopes his players will gain valuable experience and leave a positive impression on the landscape of women's football. The players themselves have their own stories, such as Rere, who is seeking to prove herself, and Andien, who continues to pursue her dream of joining the U-16 Indonesian national team in the future.
Every player arrived with different motivations and hopes. Yet, above all, they share a valuable journey: learning to set aside personal egos for the team, testing their skills against international opponents, and demonstrating that significant ambitions can be nurtured from a young age.
While the U12 championship title and the U14 runner-up position are proud achievements, the journey for these young players is just beginning. From the grass pitches of Kudus, their small steps have now reached the international stage. (OEB/mainekekudus)