South Korea coach wary of Indonesia U-17 team’s defensive strength

On the eve of the U-17 Asian Cup 2025 opening match, South Korea‘s coach Baek Ki-tae shares his perspective on their opponents’ strengths.

The match between South Korea and Indonesia U-17 will take place at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium, Jeddah—marking the opening game of this prestigious tournament’s group stage.

Nova Arianto‘s squad qualified for this tournament as the best runner-up from the qualification round, while South Korea entered as Group C champions—yet this difference hasn’t led them to underestimate Indonesia‘s capabilities.

Baek Ki-tae acknowledges that Indonesia U-17 represents one of Southeast Asia‘s major forces—with their well-organized defensive system being their primary advantage.

With both teams aiming for a strong start, this opening clash will be crucial in shaping their group-stage journey. A victory would provide early momentum, while a setback could complicate their path to the knockout rounds.