Nova Arianto now stands at the forefront, carrying the huge responsibility of leading Indonesia’s U-17 national team. After years as Shin Tae-yong’s right-hand man, he has now taken full control, trying to shape the squad with his own philosophy. It’s no easy task, especially with sky-high public expectations. But for Nova, football isn’t just about tactics on paper, it’s about shaping players’ character so they’re ready to handle pressure and compete at the highest level.
I scouted players all over the country, going from region to region. The first thing I did as head coach was analyze the team’s weaknesses, whether it was physical condition, mentality, attitude, or work ethic. That’s what I noticed right away about the U-17 team.
For him, physical and mental strength are two key elements in building a solid team. Nova is known as a strict coach, someone who doesn’t compromise when it comes to discipline. He adopts Shin Tae-yong’s high-intensity approach, focusing on endurance and a never-give-up mentality. He believes that Indonesian players need to be trained differently, prepared for battle in every match, not just playing beautifully. This philosophy is reflected in his training methods, which push players to keep moving, think fast, and make decisions under pressure.
When I took this role, my only goal was to fix things from the very foundation, the U-17 team. I focused on improving all their weaknesses, from physical and technical aspects to mental strength.
Nova understands that coaching is not just about tactics and physical drills; it’s also about building relationships with players. He often sits down with them for discussions, talking one-on-one to understand how to bring out their best potential. He knows that young players need more than just instructions on the pitch, they need confidence and the belief that they can compete. That’s exactly what he aims to instill in every training session.
The game today is different from the past. Before, physicality alone was enough. Now, football is more modern, with higher intensity. What I changed in the U-17 squad is the work ethic. When defending, everyone must defend. When attacking, everyone must attack. That way, when they move up to the senior national team, they’re already used to it. That’s what I keep telling my players.
Nova follows a progressive football philosophy.
For me, football must always move forward.
Because of that, he looks for players with strong endurance, capable of moving up and down the field throughout the game.
The first thing I look at when selecting players is their physique. Competing on the world stage requires the right body structure. They must also be strong in aerial duels, solid in one-on-one situations, and have excellent stamina. My goal is to develop a generation of national team players with the ideal physique.
Nova isn’t just talking, he has proven himself. As part of the U-20 coaching staff, he helped Indonesia qualify for the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup, showing that his approach is delivering results. He also played a role in Indonesia’s journey to the 2020 AFF Championship final and helped the U-23 team secure bronze at the 2021 SEA Games. His experience with various age levels of the national team has given him a deep understanding of player development from youth to senior levels.
Nova’s journey to this point wasn’t by chance. As a former player, he had a long career at top clubs like PSIS Semarang, Persebaya Surabaya, Persib Bandung, and Sriwijaya FC. He was famously known as "Suster Ngesot" due to his hard-nosed, relentless playing style. He wasn’t the most technically gifted player, but his commitment on the field earned him respect.
After retiring, he didn’t jump straight into a top coaching role. He started from the bottom, managing smaller clubs before eventually joining the Indonesian national team as Shin Tae-yong’s assistant. Over the years, he absorbed valuable knowledge, learning how modern football has evolved. Now, the time has come for him to apply everything he’s learned.
For fellow coaches, he has a simple message.
If you see a talented player, don’t praise them too much. Push them harder so they keep giving their best. If you compliment them too often, their performance tends to drop.
Now, his biggest challenge is taking the Indonesia U-17 team to the next level, preparing them for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Nova doesn’t want the team to just qualify, he wants them to compete with the best.
The road ahead is tough, but I believe that with hard work and the philosophy we are building, Garuda Muda can soar even higher.
