KU 12 Champion Trophy Returns to SDN Sendangmulyo 04, Quattrick for SDN Klepu 03 Dominates KU 10

The competition for the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Semarang Series 2 2025-2026 championship trophy was fierce until the final whistle blew. Held at Sidodadi Field and Arhanud Field, Jatingaleh, the series of final matches featured the best battles between elementary school teams that had gone through a long competition process. In the U-12 final, SDN Sendangmulyo 04, who were also champions last year, put in a solid performance and secured the championship title. Meanwhile, in the U-10 category, SDN Klepu 03 once again demonstrated their dominance by achieving a quattrick of championship titles, winning four times in a row, solidifying their consistency and strength as champions in that category.

Watching the KU 12 final match between SDN Sendangmulyo 02 and SDN Sendangmulyo 04 was intense and emotionally draining. Both teams were strategising against each other, with alternating attacks gracing the field. However, pressure from SDN Sendangmulyo 04 in the opening minutes gave their team the lead. Striker Alice Vinorea Putri's kick in the second minute resulted in the opening goal. Just a minute later, SDN Sendangmulyo 04 once again increased their score to 2-0 through a goal by Janeeta Alodya.

Not stopping there, the third goal once again broke through the opponent's net after Alice's shot was taken in the 10th minute, giving her team a 3-0 lead. Never giving up, SDN Sendangmulyo 02 also launched a counterattack through their star striker, Jihaan Lynta Bassaamah. This comeback goal narrowed their team's deficit and brought the temporary score to 3-1. Entering the second half, the duel intensified. Under the cloudy sky of Sidodadi Field, this duo from SDN Sendangmulyo competed fiercely. The goal fest continued into the final minutes of the second half with the score at 5-1. Jihan and her team were not willing to give up the championship so easily. In the 19th and 29th minutes, she scored beautiful goals again, adding points for her team to make it 5-3. Finally, a decisive goal from the defender of SDN Sendangmulyo 04, Kaisa Fatikha Ar-ridho, closed the second half and ended the match. Thus, the championship title for the U12 category was successfully retained by SDN Sendangmulyo 04 from the previous year.

Meanwhile, in the final match, the U-10 team from SDN Klepu 03 successfully defended their title for the fourth consecutive year (quattrick) since 2024. The players of SDN Klepu 03 spent 2x15 minutes of the match playing a very good game. The performance of Shakila Azalia Ardani and her friends led to a 4-0 defeat for the SDN Kalibanteng Kidul 03 team.

From the second minute, Shakila already sent the ball into the opponent's goal, scoring a beautiful goal that immediately filled the stands with applause and cheers. SDN Kalibanteng Kidul 03 responded to the opponent's pressure by launching a quick counterattack. Several long-range shots were attempted, but they were unable to change the score. Entering the ninth minute, SDN Kalibanteng Kidul 03 continued to try and improve their game by implementing a number of strategic variations, including rotating players. However, the maximum effort was not enough to catch up, so the team had to settle for ending the match without a win. Shakila's shots on goal in the 16th and 21st minutes finally added to her team's lead and secured the quattrick title for SDN Klepu 03.

According to MilkLife Soccer Challenge Head Coach Jackson F Tiago, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge is not just a youth women's soccer tournament. According to Jackson, this event is an important platform for participants to develop their talents and abilities from an early age, while also opening pathways to professional levels, such as the Indonesian National Team.

The MLSC tournament can be said to be one of the important events because it is currently a stepping stone to higher levels. The vision of MLSC is for them to one day have the opportunity to wear the red and white jersey. Perhaps they are still in the school environment and local tournaments at the moment, but this is the path being built to reach the national team level. "Hopefully, in the next three or four years, these will be the faces we see defending Indonesia," said Jackson.

Jackson emphasised that tournaments like the MLSC provide crucial competitive experience for participants, not only in terms of playing technique but also in terms of competitive mindset, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Each match, the Skill Challenge tests, and the FunSoccer Festival for the U8 category are part of a continuous coaching process.

"It's not just about winning or losing," Jackson continued, "but about giving them a stage to learn, grow, and gain confidence. From here, we can see who has the potential for further development and who can advance to the national level. MLSC is building a real foundation for the future of women's football in Indonesia.

With the MLSC Series 2 2025-2026 being held in 12 cities, Jackson believes that this program is capable of identifying and preparing talented young players from an early age, producing a generation of female players who will eventually become Indonesia's mainstay on the international stage.

Acting Head of the Semarang City Education Office, Joko Hartono, who was also present at the Award Ceremony (UPP) at Sidodadi Field, Semarang, appreciated the efforts of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge to continue facilitating young talents, especially female students, in developing their soccer playing abilities. Besides their talent for playing the round ball on the field, participants can also cultivate their spirit of sportsmanship.

We are very proud and grateful to the Djarum Foundation and MilkLife for organising the MLSC Semarang Series 2. This is a fitting self-development opportunity for female students in Semarang to channel and develop their soccer playing talents. So, the education received isn't just from the desk, but also character education. "Through this competition, we hope the participants can build a spirit of sportsmanship and honesty, because education, skills, character, and attitude are equally important for their future endeavours," explained Joko. Joko added that holding tournaments regularly and in stages like the MLSC provides an opportunity for schools and sports teachers to play an active role in nurturing students' talents, while also encouraging the emergence of potential female soccer players who can later bring glory to the city of Semarang, both nationally and internationally.

Program Director of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge, Teddy Tjahjono, emphasised that the organisation of the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Semarang Series 2 2025-2026 is concrete proof of their commitment to gradually and sustainably building the Indonesian women's football ecosystem. By holding youth tournaments regularly, it is hoped that potential female football talents will emerge who can later bring glory to Indonesia on both the national and international stages.

We believe that every participant has incredible potential. MLSC is not just a tournament, but a stage to practice, compete, and instill the values of sportsmanship. Through this event, we are preparing a resilient generation of female soccer players, building their confidence, and fostering a love for the sport from an early age. "This is our concrete step to produce talented young players who will one day bring glory to the nation and brighten the future of women's football in Indonesia," said Teddy.

The training program for young girls in the women's soccer tournament that has been implemented so far is starting to show positive results. One of them is seen at SDN Sendangmulyo 04, which has participated in the MilkLife Soccer Challenge since last year. The long journey of training and consistency was the key to the success of the SDN Sendangmulyo 04 team in the 2025–2026 MilkLife Soccer Challenge Semarang Series 2. The team coach, Bagas, emphasised that developing the children's abilities cannot be instantaneous and must go through a continuous process.

"If it's practice for Alice and the other children, from the beginning of MLSC Series 1 until they return for Series 2, they've probably come a long way. For example, Alice used to be in 4th grade, and now she's in 6th grade." In football, in my opinion, development cannot be instant. "Everything takes process, consistent practice, and patience," said Bagas.

One of the team's star players, Alice Vinorea Putri, who successfully won the Best Player title, emphasised that the key to success is hard work and perseverance. "You really have to keep working hard and never give up, so you can keep being champions and Best Players," said Alice, born on March 12, 2013, with a smile.

The combination of patient coaching and the players' fighting spirit allowed SDN Sendangmulyo 04 to maintain their performance and make history at the MLSC Semarang Series 2, while also reaffirming the school's commitment to seriously developing early childhood girls' soccer.

The MilkLife Soccer Challenge Semarang Series 2 was attended by 1,239 participants from 65 elementary schools (SD) and Islamic elementary schools (MI) in Semarang and surrounding areas, divided into 55 U-10 teams and 64 U-12 teams. Participants not only competed in a 7 vs 7 format but also had their skills tested through Skill Challenges, which included dribbling, passing & control, 1-on-1, shooting on target, and penalty kicks. Additionally, the SenengSoccer Festival for KU 8 was held to cultivate joy and love for football from the age of 6–8, with 97 participants from 20 elementary/Islamic schools.

For your information, the MilkLife Soccer Challenge Series 2 2025-2026 will take place in a total of 12 host cities. After Semarang and Tangerang, the competition series will move to Bandung and Yogyakarta (January 27 - February 1), Solo and Jakarta (February 10 - 15), Samarinda by Bayan (April 23 - 26), Bekasi (April 28 - May 3), Banjarmasin by Bayan (April 30 - May 3), Kudus and Surabaya (May 12 - 17), and Malang (May 19 - 24).

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 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.