Young Goalkeeper Gadhiza Asnanza's Mental Steel

Since first becoming acquainted with soccer at the age of 11 last year, Gadhiza immediately chose the position of goalkeeper. Initially, this choice was made solely because his sibling, who was in the same soccer school, occupied that position.

Also read: Maintaining the Confidence of the Indonesian Women's Football Team

"I saw the goalkeeper was cool, flying here and there, falling here and there, but apparently, it was also tiring and burdensome because he was the last person who had to ensure that there would be no goals conceded," said Gadhiza.

Fatigue is also strongly felt by Gadhiza while strengthening Indonesia's women's football team at the 2024 U-17 Women's Asia Cup in Bali. In the first match against the Philippines, for example, Gadhiza was in the spotlight for her brilliant performance under the goal post. Like what Gadhiza saw in a goalkeeper - a player who has also played for the Indonesian team in three other age categories (U-18, U-19, and U-20) - they flew and fell here and there.

How could they not? The Philippines managed to make 30 attempts, some of which were aimed at Gadhiza's goal. Without Gadhiza's saves during the match, which ended in a 1-6 defeat, Indonesia's goal could have been conceded even more.

I saw that goalkeeper was cool, flying around here and there, falling here and there, but it turns out it is also tiring and burdensome because they are the last line of defense that must ensure not to concede a goal.

The match also showed that a goalkeeper faces dual challenges and burdens. The goalkeeper will be one of the centers of attention when their team concedes many goals. The goalkeeper will also be the position that feels most guilty when they fail to save the goal from being conceded.

Also read: Philippines Reveals Old Problems in Indonesian Women's Football

However, the spirit within Gadhiza remains unwavering. The player originally from Bekasi, West Java, is even determined to score in two other matches, against South Korea and North Korea. This is something that the player born on March 3, 2008, really wants to achieve.

"When I concede, I just think, 'That's it just stop here, don't concede again. Come on, Dhiz focus again.' Also tell your friends so they can focus because the opponent is fast-fast (running)," said the player who idolizes Real Madrid goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Inspired by Ernando

Playing as the goalkeeper for the U-17 women's team also makes Gadhiza want to be a hero for Indonesia. This player from the Persib Academy is inspired by the achievements of the national men's team goalkeeper, Ernando Ari, especially after his performance in the 2024 U-23 Asian Cup.

Gadhiza aims to perform brilliant rescues like what Ernando did. In the quarterfinal match of the U-23 Asia Cup against South Korea, for example, Ernando successfully blocked two shots from the opponent's players and executed the 10th penalty for Indonesia in the shootout.

Gadhiza's great determination and high self-confidence cannot be separated from the support of people around her, including the Indonesian women's team goalkeeping coach, Kurnia Sandy. According to Gadhiza, Sandy was always the first and foremost person to defend him and the other two goalkeepers during unwanted moments, such as conceding a lot of goals. The coach also always appreciates the hard efforts of Gadhiza and his friends.

Sandy stated that it is not easy to train and develop excellent female goalkeepers in the team. However, it does not mean that it is impossible. Sandy chooses to prioritize psychological approach before focusing on technical matters. This national team goalkeeper from the 1990s first builds the mental and self-confidence of her foster children to be tough on the field. Only then are their techniques well-polished.

Sandy positions himself as a father figure. As a result, an emotional connection with the players can be established. Besides showing respect for the coach, the players become more open to discussing their problems and are willing to receive advice to improve their shortcomings. They are also motivated to perform well because it is part of the effort to make the coach, who is like a parent to the team, proud.

Also read: Lowered by the Philippines 1-6, Don't Give Up "Garuda Pertiwi"!

In Gadhiza, Sandy saw great potential to become a great goalkeeper. This figure who has been part of the main team of the Italian club, Sampdoria, has seen it since two years ago when the women's national team had a test match with the Persib Academy. At that time, Gadhiza was very disappointed because he conceded two goals, but still tried to appear spartan.

"The technique still needs to be polished, but Gadhiza is confident and bold. There is a determination to always perform better after conceding, a determination to keep the goal from being breached. That is important for a goalkeeper. That is also what made me decide to choose him for the first time three years ago (for the U-18 team to compete in the 2022 AFF Asian Championship)," said Sandy.

English Translation: England's national women's team goalkeeper Mary Earp once said that being a goalkeeper is not an easy task. For this two-time recipient of the Best Women's Goalkeeper FIFA Award, the most difficult part of being a goalkeeper is not being the most criticized when the team loses or concedes a goal. The hardest part is not being able to directly "get involved" in the game. Being a goalkeeper is like walking a lonely path that is only traversed alone.

”I think it can feel very lonely. I think the hardest part is not being able to have an impact on the game. You can't chase the game, or force yourself to get into the game, you have to wait for it to come to you and that's very difficult," said Mary Earps in an interview with She's A Baller.

However, despite all those challenges, both Earps and Gadhiza seem to remain steadfast with their chosen paths. For Gadhiza, being the goalkeeper for Indonesia is a pride for him and his family. That feeling of pride is now wrapped in steel resolve to also give the Indonesian public a sense of pride through saves under the goal posts.