Head coach of the Indonesia U-19 national team, Nova Arianto, has urged his young Garuda squad not to feel pressured by their status as defending champions at the 2026 AFF U-19 Championship, also known as the ASEAN U-19 Boys' Bank Sumut Championship 2026.

Nova stated that winning the 2026 AFF U-19 title remains a significant aspiration for Indonesia. However, he emphasised that this status should not become a burden or source of pressure for his players as they approach each match.

For Nova, the most important thing is that the players can focus on going through every stage of the process with dedication and composure.

“I hope the players are not weighed down by being defending champions because I prefer to focus on the process – how we face Myanmar, then Timor Leste, and later Vietnam. That’s my personal target,” Nova explained.

Since taking charge of the young Garuda squad, Nova has made it his mission to develop players into better professionals. For him, success is not only about winning trophies but also about producing a strong generation ready to contribute to Indonesia’s senior national team.

“I aim to build the players’ mentality and psychology so they are ready for the senior national team. I feel more fulfilled when U-17 or U-19 players make it to the senior side,” he added.

Nova, one of Indonesia’s most respected coaches, previously led the national team to qualify for both the U-17 World Cup and the Asian Cup. He considers those achievements as part of a broader development journey rather than the end goal.

“Qualifying for the World Cup and the Asian Cup is just part of the process for preparing players to be better equipped for senior-level football,” he said.

Despite his developmental focus, Nova admitted that he still aims for the championship title at the 2026 AFF U-19 event. He promised that his team would give their all to achieve that goal.

“Of course, I also want us to be the best. I always ask the players to win every match. We’ll give 100 percent of what we have, and we’ll see how far that takes us. That will also serve as our evaluation,” Nova concluded.

Mathew Baker to Join U-19 Squad Soon

Indonesia’s diaspora player Mathew Baker may miss the opening match of the young Garuda squad at the ASEAN U-19 Boys' Bank Sumut Championship 2026, or the 2026 AFF U-19 Championship.

The 17-year-old has not yet joined the U-19 squad as he is currently training with the senior national team. Indonesia U-19 are set to face Myanmar in their first match at the North Sumatra Main Stadium on Monday (1 June 2026) evening.

Head coach Nova Arianto revealed that he cannot yet confirm when the player wearing jersey number 5 will join the squad. He explained that Baker is scheduled to travel to North Sumatra once his duties with the senior team are complete.

“As we all know, Baker is still with the senior national team, so he can’t arrive yet. He’s expected to join us once all his senior team activities are finished,” Nova told reporters during a press conference at Hotel Arya Duta on Sunday (31 May 2026).

Although Baker has not yet linked up with the team, Nova is confident that the Australian-born player will have no trouble adapting to the squad. He pointed out that most of the current U-19 players are graduates of the U-17 World Cup 2025 squad, where Baker was also a key member.

“In terms of chemistry and tactics, I don’t think it will be an issue since around 60 percent of our current players were part of the U-17 World Cup team and have already played alongside Baker,” he explained.

Nova expressed confidence that Baker would quickly integrate once he joins the team. He also hopes that the young defender will be in top condition when he arrives in Medan.

“The chemistry and tactical understanding will come easily since he’s already familiar with his teammates. We’re praying that Baker arrives fit and ready to perform at his best,” Nova said.

Mathew Baker has been one of Nova Arianto’s trusted players since his tenure as head coach of Indonesia’s U-17 team, where Baker consistently anchored the left side of the defence. For that reason, Nova hopes the young defender will soon join the U-19 squad for the 2026 AFF U-19 Championship.