SDUT Bumi Kartini Defends Title, SD 3 Bulucangkring Crowned New Champion

The final match of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) Kudus Series 1 2025-2026, held at the Supersoccer Arena in Kudus, Central Java on Sunday (August 3rd), was exciting and tense. SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara demonstrated their supremacy by defending their KU 12 championship title for the fifth consecutive time, after defeating SDN Jambean 02 Pati in the final with a score of 3-2. Meanwhile, SD 3 Bulungcangkring emerged as the new champion after surprising everyone by defeating SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain, who were two-time champions at MLSC Kudus Series 2 2024 and MLSC Kudus 2025.

The final match of KU 12, which pitted SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara against SDN Jambean 02 Pati, was played with high intensity from the very first minute. As the defending champions, SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara dominated the game throughout the match. The twins, Rara Zenita Fatin and Rere Zenita Farza, became a formidable force at the heart of SDN Jambean 02 Pati's defense.

Nevertheless, the disciplined defense of SDN Jambean 02 Pati made for a low-scoring first half. Only one goal was scored in the first half when Rere unleashed a low shot after a good combination with Rara in the 7th minute, giving her team a 1-0 lead.

Being ahead in the first 15 minutes didn't make SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara ease up on their attacks. As a result, they were able to add two more goals in the second half, both scored by Rara. Nevertheless, SDN Jambean 02 Pati also managed to score two comeback goals from set pieces, both scored by their star player, Hafiza Khairan Lubna Lista. Maintaining a 3-2 lead until the end of the match allowed SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara to secure their fifth consecutive title in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge.

Rara, the winning hero of SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara, is grateful for being able to bring her school back to the top podium at the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Kudus Series 1 2025 - 2026. Not only that, but he also successfully established himself as the top scorer with 43 goals. I thot our opponents played very well earlier, especially in defense, but thanks to our teamwork and patience in scoring goals, we were finally able to secure the victory. I'm very happy to be able to help the team become champions in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge for the fifth time. "I hope I can continue to achieve more accomplishments that make my parents proud," said Rara.

Meanwhile, a fierce match also took place in the U10 final between SD 3 Bulungcangkring and SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain. Striker Lutfia Indriana Putri from SD 3 Bulungcangkring scored a goal by capitalizing on the chaos in front of the SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain goal. Although both teams showed aggression in attacking after the goal, the 1-0 lead for SD 3 Bulungcangkring held until the end of the first half.

In a trailing situation, SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain attempted to increase their efforts to score a comeback goal in the second half. Instead of equalizing, they conceded again and fell behind 0-2. The goal was scored by the captain of SD 3 Bulungcangkring, Putri Lestari, with a long-range shot. Refusing to give up, SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain finally managed to score a comeback goal after being awarded a penalty, which Keisha Athira Imawan successfully converted into a goal. Nevertheless, SD 3 Bulungcangkring managed to maintain their 2-1 lead until the end of the match.

I didn't expect to score this many goals and be the match winner in the final. I was also nervous because my opponent played well and was favored to win the championship. "I want to dedicate this victory to all my friends, teachers, and especially my parents," said Putri, who was also the Top Scorer in the U-10 category with 54 goals.

The quality of Kudus female soccer players is increasing and becoming more evenly distributed.

Kudus Regent, Sam'ani Intakoris, welcomed the return of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge. Followed by 1,370 female students from 92 Elementary Schools (SD) and Islamic Elementary Schools (MI) in Kudus and surrounding areas, she assessed that the enthusiasm of the participants in this tournament, initiated by the Djarum Foundation's Sports Bakti and MilkLife, was still very high. She hopes that professional female soccer players will one day be born from Kudus and the surrounding areas.

May the Holy Daughters become national players and eventually compete at the international level. Of course, we support this activity and will continue to coordinate with the Department of Education and Sports to encourage students to exercise regularly. "Because sports also make children stronger in terms of muscle and brain and motor development, which is expected to create a golden generation," said Sam'ani.

The head coach of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Kudus, Yayat Hidayat, believes that the quality of the Kudus girls has improved and is evenly distributed across both the U-10 and U-12 age groups. Additionally, based on monitoring results during the tournament from July 29th to August 3rd, there were also many new participants who caught attention.

Participants in the MLSC Kudus Series 1 2025 - 2026 experienced an improvement in quality and distribution. This is certainly a breath of fresh air because it turns out there are still many potential talents in Kudus who are just emerging. "We will train them regularly at the Supersoccer Arena, and they will be selected to represent the Kudus squad at the MLSC All Stars 2026," he said enthusiastically.

Yoppy Rosimin, Program Director of Djarum Foundation's Sports Program, stated that Kudus remains a potential breeding ground for young female football talent. He urged the athletes to further hone their skills and dedicate themselves more to football by joining SSB clubs. This is because, beside MLSC, there are also higher age-level tournaments such as the HYDROPLUS Soccer League U-14, which is held regularly throughout the year from 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as the HYDROPLUS Pertiwi Cup U14 & U16.

We hope the spirit of future female soccer players doesn't stop here, but continues to burn brightly by joining soccer schools and regularly participating in tournaments at various levels to measure their abilities. Until they can eventually become the women's national team squad and later represent Indonesia at the international level. "We are calling on all young female football athletes in the 10 MLSC host cities to participate and together advance women's football in the country," said Yoppy.

At the 2025-2026 MLSC Kudus Series 1, there are three football academies that are directly opening registration for participants: SSB Arema Malang Semarang Branch, Sultan Kudus United (SKU), and SSB Lysandra Demak.

Here is the list of winners for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Kudus Series 1 2025 - 2026:

Age Category 10
Champion: SD 3 Bulungcangkring
Runner-up: SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain
Semifinalists: SD 2 Demaan and SDIT AL Islam Kudus
Top Scorer: Putri Lestari - SD 3 Bulungcangkring (54 goals)
Best Player: Keisha Athira Imawan - SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain
Best Goalkeeper: Aqilla Anindita Khairinniswa - SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain
Fairplay Team: MI NU Pendidikan Islam

Age Category 12
Champion: SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara
Runner-up: SDN Jambean 02 Pati
Semifinalists: MI NU Khurriyatul Fikri and SDN 1 Panggang Jepara
Top Scorer: Rara Zenita Fatin - SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara (43 goals)
Best Player: Rere Zenita Farza - SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara
Best Goalkeeper: Queisha Sava Azzalfa - SDUT Bumi Kartini Jepara
Fairplay Team: SD Muhammadiyah Birrul Walidain

Visit www.milklifesoccer.com to see the schedule, match results, standings, and the MilkLife Soccer Challenge top scorer 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.