A Year-Long Wait, SDN Kalisari 01 Finally Claims the Championship Title

The roar of supporters echoed during the finals of the KU 10 and KU 12 MilkLife Soccer Challenge Jakarta 2025, held at Kingkong Soccer Arena, Cijantung, East Jakarta, on Sunday afternoon (May 4). In the competition initiated by Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation and MilkLife, SDN Pulogebang 13 emerged as the champion in the KU 10 category after a hard-fought win over SDN Gedong 03. Meanwhile, in KU 12, SDN Kalisari 01 claimed the title by defeating their rival SDN Mekarjaya 12.

The victory of SDN Kalisari 01 was a long-awaited moment after more than a year of competing in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge. In 2024, they finished as semifinalists in MLSC Jakarta Series 1 and runners-up in Series 2. They finally tasted glory after defeating SDN Mekarjaya 12 with a 4-1 score in the 2025 edition.

Clea Abelia’s outstanding performance opened the scoring for SDN Kalisari 01 through a throw-in that slipped past the opposing goalkeeper in the 3rd minute. Not long after, SDN Mekarjaya 12 equalized with a precise shot in front of the goal. Clea Abelia again showed her brilliance with an attack that gave SDN Kalisari 01 the lead. Zaniar Gadiza then added a goal with a shot to the right corner of the goal, making it 3-1 by the end of the first half.

After the break, both teams continued to play aggressively, creating several dangerous chances in an attempt to break down each other's defenses. In the 29th minute, Keisya Aurellia Fiorenza seized a key moment when the opposing goal was left unguarded, scoring a sweet goal that sealed SDN Kalisari 01's championship.

Star player Clea Abelia couldn’t believe she had led her school to victory at MilkLife Soccer Challenge - Jakarta 2025. She also earned the top scorer title with 27 goals. “Alhamdulillah, we finally beat them, because last year we lost. Thanks to our team’s unity, the coach’s and parents’ support, we were so motivated. I could also apply the knowledge I gained from competing in Singapore, which helped us win the championship,” said Abel.

Meanwhile, a fierce battle unfolded in the KU 10 final between SDN Pulogebang 13 and SDN Gedong 03. Both teams launched a series of attacks but couldn’t convert chances into goals in the first half, which ended scoreless.

In the second half, the same attacking strategy continued, with several scrambles in front of the goal failing to produce results—until the 21st minute, when Anindita Keisa Zahra broke the deadlock with a shot that the opposing keeper couldn’t stop. Just before the final whistle, the number two jersey added another goal after receiving a lob pass and shooting quickly into the right side of the goal, securing a 2-0 win for SDN Pulogebang 13.

SDN Pulogebang 13 player Anindita Keisa Zahra expressed her gratitude for her and her team’s performance. “It feels amazing to become a champion and top scorer, especially since today’s match was tough because the opposing team had bigger players. But our coach encouraged us not to be afraid and to believe in ourselves,” said the player, who idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rising Enthusiasm

Jakarta has consistently shown increasing participant numbers in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge. In Series 1 of 2024, 368 elementary school girls participated. By Series 2 in November 2024, that number had tripled to 1,359 participants. The enthusiasm continued to rise in the 2025 edition, reaching 1,601 participants from 96 elementary and Islamic schools, divided into 32 teams for KU 10 and 112 teams for KU 12.

Head Coach of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, Timo Scheunemann, stated that the growing enthusiasm among young female footballers was fueled by sustainable career opportunities. Through programs run by Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation and MilkLife, the top players from MilkLife Soccer Challenge are given opportunities to compete internationally, such as at the prestigious JSSL Singapore 7’s 2025 in April. In that tournament, HydroPlus Strikers (U-14) and MilkLife Shakers (U-12) finished as runners-up. According to Timo, their success in Singapore has further ignited the participants’ motivation and passion for football.

“I believe the JSSL tournament plays a major role in increasing interest among the players. They see that after KU 12, there's still another level to aim for. I’m sure parents also see this positively, knowing there's a long-term pathway for their children—not just ending at elementary school, but continuing to compete in MilkLife Soccer All Stars and possibly represent their region in international tournaments,” said Timo.

Echoing this, SDN Kalisari 01 coach Warizqy Mahirullah admitted that the success of MilkLife Soccer Challenge alumni at JSSL Singapore 7’s 2025 inspired his students to play football. Notably, SDN Kalisari 01’s own Clea Abelia was part of the HydroPlus Strikers (U-14) squad and scored a goal that helped her team defeat JSSL FC 2 Singapore.

“After Abel returned from Singapore, she was called up during the flag ceremony and it was announced that she had become runner-up at the prestigious tournament. This inspired many students, especially in grades 2 and 3, to take up girls' football. So next semester, we will be starting a girls’ football extracurricular program,” said the bespectacled coach.

Winners of MilkLife Soccer Challenge – Jakarta 2025

Under 10 Category (KU 10):

Champion: SDN Pulogebang 13

Runner-up: SDN Gedong 03

Semifinalists: SDN Cijantung 03 and SDN Cilangkap 01

Top Scorers:

Anindita Keisa Zahra – SDN Pulogebang 13 (15 goals)

Najma Ayunindya Inara – SDN Cijantung 03 (15 goals)

Best Player:

Anindita Keisa Zahra – SDN Pulogebang 13

Best Goalkeeper:

Aqilla Misha Qiana – SDN Cijantung 03

Fair Play Team:

SDN Cilangkap 01

Under 12 Category (KU 12):

Champion: SDN Kalisari 01

Runner-up: SDN Mekarjaya 12

Semifinalists: SDN Cipulir 03 and SDN Kebagusan 03

Top Scorer:

Clea Abelia – SDN Kalisari 01 (27 goals)

Best Player:

Clea Abelia – SDN Kalisari 01

Best Goalkeeper:

Nafa Aprilia – SDN Mekarjaya 12

Fair Play Team:

SDN Cipulir 03

Visit www.milklifesoccer.com for match schedules, results, standings, and top scorers of MilkLife Soccer Challenge – Jakarta 2025.
Follow MilkLife Soccer Challenge on social media (Instagram @milklifesoccer, TikTok @milklifesoccer, YouTube @milklifesoccer) for more exciting updates on the development of girls' football.