Increasingly Competitive Along with Improvements in Quality and Quantity

The MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang & Semarang Series 2 2025 - 2026, held from January 13th to 18th, has concluded. SDN Pinang 3 C (KU 10) and SDN Kunciran 4 C (KU 12) emerged as the new champions in Tangerang, while SDN Klepu 03 (KU 10) and SDN Sendangmulyo 04 (KU 12) successfully claimed the title in Semarang.

For your information, at the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang Series 2 2025 - 2026, no less than 1,424 students from 135 elementary and Islamic primary schools participated. Meanwhile, at the Semarang Series 2 2025 - 2026, a total of 1,239 students from 65 elementary schools (SD) and Islamic primary schools (MI) took part in the tournament organised by the Djarum Foundation Sports Service and MilkLife.

Teddy Tjahjono, Program Director of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, observed a significant increase in both the number of participants and the quality of players competing in the Tangerang and Semarang Series 2. Previously, Tangerang Series 1 had 1,302 female students, while Semarang Series 1 (2025-2026) recorded 1,213 participants.

For this second series, the number of participants increased compared to previous series, both in Semarang and Tangerang. There's also always an improvement in quality, because they've already prepared themselves and know what the implementation schedule is like. So, there's better preparation among the participants," said Teddy.

Jacksen F Tiago, who has officially joined as the Head Coach of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge alongside Timo Scheunemann, stated that this U8, U10, and U12 tournament is very important to hold, as it is the first step towards becoming a professional footballer. "And secondly, for them to reach the level of the Indonesian national team, this is the path." So I don't think it's just important, but incredibly important because this can be said to be one of the few platforms available for young female athletes. "In the next three to four years, these are the faces we will see wearing red and white," he said.

The former coach of the Indonesian national team stated that there are significant differences between coaching male and female athletes, especially in terms of psychological aspects. Jacksen believes a more personal approach is needed to deal with female athletes. Nevertheless, he is optimistic that with the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, which has been successfully held for the past three years, women's football in the country will achieve glory.

I think the most striking difference is the psychological approach, because the cycles of sons are different from those of daughters. In my opinion, that's the biggest challenge. Because women's moods are very unstable, we need to understand that in order to handle them," said Jacksen.

The champion of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang Series 2 2025-2026 in the U10 age group, SDN Pinang 3 C, emerged victorious after defeating British School Jakarta with a final score of 2-1. In the final match held at the Kera Sakti BRIN Puspitek Field in Tangerang on Sunday (January 18th), SDN Pinang 3 C was more dominant than their opponent. It was Nitya Safira Jaya who successfully scored both goals, leading her team to victory.

Nitya Safira Jaya scored goals through a penalty in the 2nd minute and a long-range shot in the 19th minute. Meanwhile, the only goal for British School Jakarta came from Maya Hashimoto, who successfully executed a perfect penalty in the 24th minute.

"I'm so happy to have won and become the champion. I was worried in the last minute when the opponent almost made a comeback because I thought there was another penalty for them. Fortunately, it didn't happen and we were able to finish the match with a win," said Nitya, who was also named Best Player KU 10 at the MLSC Tangerang Series 2 2025 - 2026.

Meanwhile, in the U-12 category, SDN Kunciran 4 C successfully secured the championship title for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang Series 2 2025 - 2026 after a fierce match against SDN Kebayoran Lama Selatan 19, which ended with a score of 3-2. Farid, the coach of SDN Kunciran 4 C, admitted he was proud of his team's achievement. Especially at the MLSC Tangerang Series 1 2025-2026, their journey ended in the round of 16 after losing on penalties to British School Jakarta 0 (1) - 0 (2). Meanwhile, in Series 2, SDN Kunciran 4 C stopped British School Jakarta's run in the semifinals with a score of 3-0.

"The preparation, which was previously once a week, was increased to three times because we wanted to catch up with their age, as they won't be able to participate in the U12 category next year. So, the children's mental strength was boosted in this Series 2," Farid explained. SDN Kunciran 4 C was also the champion in the MLSC Jakarta Series 1 2025-2026.

In addition to the 7 vs 7 format for the U10 and U12 age groups, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge 2025 – 2026 also brings back the SenengSoccer Festival for the U8 age group. In Semarang, this activity was attended by 97 female students from 20 elementary and Islamic primary schools, while in Tangerang, 35 participants from 10 elementary and Islamic primary schools took part. After Semarang and Tangerang, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Series 2 2025-2026 will take place in Bandung and Yogyakarta from January 27th to February 1st, 2026.

List of Winners for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Tangerang Series 2 2025 - 2026:

Age Category 10

Champion: SDN Pinang 3 C

Runner-up: British School Jakarta

Semifinalists: SDN Pasar Baru 01 Komplek Pintu Besi & SDN Buaran 02

Top Scorer: Ayu Fitria Oktaviani - SDN Cipulir 03 B (19 goals)

Best Player: Nitya Safira Jaya - SDN Pinang 3 C

Best Goalkeeper: Nadhifa Ferhania Sholeha - SDN Pasar Baru 01 Komplek Pintu Besi

Fairplay Team: SDN Kunciran 4

Age Category 12

Champion: SDN Kunciran 4 C

Runner-up: SDN Kebayoran Lama Selatan 19

Semifinalists: British School Jakarta Red & SDN Pinang 3

Top Scorer: Angelina Putri Sarealita Mongan - SDN Kunciran 4 C (18 goals)

Best Player: Zilda Afna Syaqila - SDN Kunciran 4 C

Best Goalkeeper: Aisyah Putri Ramadhani - SDN Pinang 3

Fairplay Team: SDN Pakulonan 02

 

List of winners for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Semarang Series 2 2025 - 2026:

Age Category 10

Champion: SDN Klepu 03

Runner-up: SDN Kalibanteng Kidul 03

Semifinalists: SDN Kembangarum 1 Mranggen & SD Kembangarum 01 Semarang

Top Scorer: Shakilla Azalia Ardani - SDN Klepu 01 (31 goals)

Best Player: Christabel Jocelyn Calista - SDN Kalibanteng Kidul 03

Best Goalkeeper: Saputri Nurul Azizah - SDN Klepu 03

Fairplay Team: SDN Kembangarum 2 Semarang

Age Category 12

Champion: SDN Sendangmulyo 04

Runner-up: SDN Sendangmulyo 02

Semifinalists: SDN Karangsono 2 Mranggen & SDN Rejosari 01

Top Scorer: Janetta Alodya - SDN Sendangmulyo 04 (24 goals)

Best Player: Alice Vinorea Putri - SDN Sendangmulyo 04

Best Goalkeeper: Bellvania Shaquila Velosa - SDN Rejosari 01

Fairplay Team: SDN Klepu 03

Visit www.milklifesoccer.com to see the schedule, match results, standings, and the MilkLife Soccer Challenge top scorers list. And follow the MilkLife Soccer Challenge social media accounts (Instagram @milklifesoccer, TikTok @milklifesoccer, YouTube @milklifesoccer) for interesting information about the development of women's football.