Monday, November 3rd 2025 Reporter: Budhi Firmansyah Surapati Translator: Nugroho Adibrata 90
(Foto: Istimewa)
Jakarta's football team performed fiercely in their first match at the National Student Sports Week (POPNAS) XVII in 2025 at ASIOP Stadium, Jalan Cempaka Putih Barat, Central Jakarta, Monday (11/3).
It's understandable that the kids were still nervous
Showing dominant play from the beginning, Jakarta's soccer team managed to defeat their opponents from Gorontalo Province with a decisive 5-1 score. This victory also opened up the chance to compete as the champion in Group A to qualify for the next phase.
Jakarta POPNAS XVII Head Coach Bambang Warsito admitted that his players have not performed at their best in this match. He acknowledges this because they are still stage fright in their first game.
"It's understandable that the kids were still nervous in their first match. Alhamdulillah (Thank God), we scored early in the game, so they could play confidently," he explained
Overall, the team was able to dominate the match. This was proven by the goals scored by Ardiansyah, Adhip, Ardi, and Adit, each of whom scored two goals, successfully hitting the opponent's goal.
Nevertheless, Bambang admitted he is not yet satisfied and still sees the need for improvement. The team's midfield line and focus of play still need to be enhanced so they can perform better in the next match.
In the second match against Bengkulu on Tuesday (11/4), he is confident that his team can perform at their best and achieve victory.
"With improvements, Insya Allah (God willing), we believe we are capable of handling it," he stressed.
As information, Jakarta is in Group A of the POPNAS XVII Football Branch Sports 2025 in Jakarta, together with Gorontalo and Bengkulu. Only the group winners will qualify for the next phase of the tournament.