Timo Scheunemann says MLSC development aligns with FIFA's plans

Kudus, Central Java - MilkLife Soccer Challenge (MLSC) All-Stars 2026 head coach Timo Scheunemann stated that the young women’s football talent development system through the MLSC is aligned with FIFA’s plan to present an Under-15 World Cup. “FIFA already has a plan for the future, every year there will be an U15 World Cup for boys and girls. And the system is like the Gothia Cup, playing 9-a-side, exactly like we do here at MLSC,” said Timo Scheunemann during the MLSC All-Stars 2026 event at the Supersoccer Arena, Kudus, Central Java, on Sunday. The MLSC programme, initiated by the Bakti Olahraga Djarum Foundation, has been conducting development for women’s footballers in age groups across the country. Young talents from various regions compete to win the MLSC All-Stars title. MLSC All-Stars 2026 is the second edition to adopt the 9 vs 9 format in order to increase the level of competition before stepping up to a more professional level. In terms of match duration, it has been extended to 2 x 20 minutes with a 10-minute break, whereas the previous edition was 2 x 15 minutes with a 5-minute half-time interval. The pitch size used remains the same, namely 50 x 35 metres with goals measuring 2 x 5 metres. MLSC has also innovated by increasing the quota for each team from the previous 14 players to 16 players accompanied by four officials. Timo explained that the MLSC development system is in line with the development of world women’s football. The man who is also the coach of the Indonesian U17 Women’s National Team mentioned that there are two developing approaches to world women’s football development, namely from the Dutch-German and English-American perspectives. From the Dutch-German side, he said, they want women’s football to be played on the smallest possible pitch with fewer players and a longer duration. Meanwhile, from the English-American side, women’s football moves as quickly as possible to 11-a-side. “I see that the philosophy that will win is the English-American one, because essentially and from experience as a fan, the more ball touches the better,” he said. Therefore, Timo continued, the age group development run by MLSC for the elementary school level is already suitable for moving to the next level at U15, especially since there is also the Hydroplus Super League tournament for the junior high school level. “So it fits perfectly. Once the athletes move to U18, they are already playing 11-a-side. So we are already synchronised with what FIFA is doing,” he said.