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The name Arkhan Kaka was once heralded as one of the brightest prospects for the future of Indonesian football.

However, the young Persis Solo forward’s journey has not always been smooth sailing.

After a difficult season with Persis Solo that ended in relegation from the top tier of Indonesian football, Kaka now has a major opportunity to bounce back with the Indonesia U-19 national team in the ASEAN U-19 Championship 2026.

The goal he scored in Garuda Muda’s victory over Myanmar signaled that the 18-year-old striker still possesses great potential and has much room to grow.

A Wonderkid Who Stood Out from an Early Age

Arkhan Kaka first grabbed the attention of Indonesian football fans when he played a key role in helping Indonesia U-16 win the 2022 AFF U-16 Championship.

At that time, his name emerged as one of the most talented players of the 2007 generation.

His tall frame and ability to operate effectively as a target man set him apart from most strikers his age.

Kaka’s performance drew even more attention during the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup.

In that prestigious tournament, hosted in Indonesia, he managed to score two goals in three matches.

His strong showing led many to believe that Indonesia had found a promising striker for the future.

Club Career Yet to Meet Expectations

Although he has shone for Indonesia’s youth national teams, Kaka’s club career has not progressed as expected.

The son of former national player Purwanto Suwondo made his professional debut for Persis Solo in the 2022/2023 Liga 1 season at just 15 years old.

That debut was a remarkable achievement, as very few players of his age get the chance to play in Indonesia’s top division.

However, after four seasons with Laskar Sambernyawa, Kaka’s development has yet to show significant progress.

Across 52 appearances for Persis Solo, the striker born on 2 September 2007 has recorded only two goals and three assists.

His limited goal contributions have gradually turned high expectations into mounting pressure.

The 2025/2026 season proved to be the toughest period of his career so far. Persis Solo failed to escape the relegation zone and ultimately dropped to Liga 2.

This situation also affected Kaka’s confidence, as he was frequently used as a substitute by coach Milomir Seslija throughout the season.

Still Trusted by Nova Arianto

Despite his inconsistent club form, Arkhan Kaka continues to enjoy the full trust of Indonesia U-19 head coach Nova Arianto.

One of the main reasons is the scarcity of strikers his age who have gained regular playing time in professional competition.

His experience in Liga 1 serves as valuable capital that few other players in his age group possess.

For that reason, Nova Arianto appointed Kaka as the main striker for Garuda Muda in the ASEAN U-19 Championship 2026, held in North Sumatra.

Kaka immediately repaid that faith in the opening Group A match against Myanmar on Monday (1 June 2026).

A Goal That Could Change Everything

In the match played at the North Sumatra Main Stadium, the Indonesia U-19 team struggled to find their rhythm early on.

Garuda Muda’s frontline repeatedly faced difficulties breaking down a disciplined Myanmar defense.

Amid the lack of clear chances, Kaka displayed his quality.

He won an aerial duel from a lofted pass and calmly executed a lob finish to give Indonesia a 1-0 lead.

The goal broke the deadlock and paved the way for Indonesia’s victory.

In the second half, Dimas Adi added two more goals, sealing a convincing 3-0 win for Garuda Muda.

For Kaka, that goal meant more than just opening the scoring.

It could serve as a turning point to rebuild his confidence after a challenging season with Persis Solo.

Plenty of Room for Improvement

Despite the win, head coach Nova Arianto admitted that his team’s performance was still far from ideal.

He observed that the players appeared nervous and lacked confidence in their first match of the tournament.

“Honestly, if you look at today’s match, it’s still far from what I expected,” said Nova Arianto.

“There was a bit of nervousness, a lack of confidence, even in their movement. I hope the players can learn a lot from this game,” he added.

Nova’s comments highlight that Indonesia U-19 still has much work to do to improve ahead of the next matches.

The ASEAN U-19 Championship 2026 could serve as a crucial platform for Arkhan Kaka to restore his image as one of Indonesia’s most promising young strikers.

At just 18, his career journey is still long and full of potential.

This tournament could be a decisive moment that shapes his development in the coming years.

If he can maintain consistency and rediscover his scoring touch throughout the competition, Kaka has a strong chance to win back public confidence and reinforce his status as a future mainstay for the Indonesian national team.

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