Kapanlagi.com - Muhammad Yudha Febrian, a name that once graced the Indonesian football scene, is now back in the spotlight. This player from Bogor caught public attention due to his brilliant performances with the U-16 and U-19 National Teams. Under the guidance of coach Shin Tae-yong, Yudha was even relied upon as a left-back, displacing several other players to make room for his extraordinary talent.
However, Yudha's career, which was initially filled with achievements and praise, has now experienced a decline due to a series of controversies that tarnished his name. Although he is still actively playing with Persikota Tangerang in Liga 2, unfortunately, Yudha is no longer part of the Indonesian National Team squad.
Let's take a closer look at Yudha Febrian's career journey as reported by Kapanlagi.com from various sources on Thursday (14/11).
1. A Brilliant Career Start
Yudha Febrian, a talented figure born in Bogor on February 13, 2002, has made a remarkable mark in the world of football since he was in the third grade of elementary school.
Joining the Cibinong Putra Football School (SSB), his talent as an outstanding left-back quickly caught the attention of the U-16 national team coach, Fakhri Husaini.
In 2018, Yudha participated in the U-16 national team and took part in an amazing journey to win the AFF U-16 Championship title after defeating Thailand in a penalty shootout.
Not only that, his stunning performance in the JENESYS Japan-ASEAN U-16 tournament further solidified his position as one of the main pillars of the team.
His career soared higher when he was selected for the Garuda Select program in 2019, which took him to England for football training with European standards, honing his physical and tactical skills as a young left-back full of potential.
2. Golden Era in the Youth National Team
Between 2019 and 2020, Yudha Febrian shone as a young star on the Indonesian national team stage, regularly appearing in various age-group tournaments.
Known as a mainstay in the defense, he was trusted to strengthen the U-19 National Team in the U-19 Asian Cup Qualifiers and international friendly tournaments under the guidance of coach Shin Tae-yong.
This trust even led Shin to move Pratama Arhan to the right-back position, to make room for Yudha at left-back, thanks to his solid physical combination and competent defensive skills.
However, the peak of his career in the national team had to end in October 2020, when he made his last appearance in a friendly match, a performance that confirmed his great potential before a storm of problems approached him.
3. Controversy and Indiscipline
In November 2020, Yudha faced a heavy trial when he and his teammate, Serdy Ephy Fano, got caught up in a scandal during the U-19 National Team training camp due to indiscipline. The two were caught on camera having fun at a nightclub, and the next day they arrived late for the morning training session.
A firm decision was made by coach Shin Tae-yong, who sent Yudha back to his club, Barito Putera, and sent him to a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Tasikmalaya for mental and spiritual training.
Although this step aimed to improve his attitude, the impact on Yudha's career was already felt, considering he was previously projected as one of the future left-backs for the Indonesian national team.
Now, his reputation as a disciplined and professional player is beginning to be questioned by many, serving as a valuable lesson about the consequences of unwise actions.
4. Allegations of Sexual Harassment That Impacted Reputation
In May 2021, Yudha's name once again drew public attention after a woman via the Twitter account @senandikha11 accused him of sexual harassment.
The viral thread attracted widespread negative scrutiny, forcing Yudha to respond by openly admitting his mistakes and apologizing through a video posted by the account.
Although the case ended peacefully, Yudha's image in the eyes of the public and the football world has been further tarnished, making many clubs hesitant to recruit him, despite him previously being known as one of Indonesia's best young talents.
His efforts to rise from this downfall cannot be underestimated, considering the impact of the case continues to overshadow his career journey.
5. Career Journey in Clubs and Opportunities for Comeback
After being released by Barito Putera, Yudha embarked on a winding journey, stopping at several clubs, such as PSG Pati and Persik Kediri, before finally finding a new home at Persikota Tangerang for the 2024/2025 season.
Although he is now playing in Liga 2, Yudha continues to showcase his quality as an agile and tough left-back. While he is no longer the main focus in the national football scene, the hope for his comeback remains wide open, as long as he can improve his discipline and focus on developing his career.
Many believe that the bitter experiences he has gone through can serve as valuable lessons for him. His career may now be in the shadows, but the opportunity to shine again still exists, especially if he can demonstrate consistent performance at the club level.
As a young player, Yudha still has time to correct his path and prove that he deserves to return to the grand stage of Indonesian football.
6. What are Yudha Febrian's best achievements with the national team?
One of the remarkable achievements worth noting is when this team won the AFF U-16 Cup in 2018, as well as making a mark in the JENESYS Japan-ASEAN U-16, showcasing the extraordinary talent and dedication of our young players on the international stage.
7. What caused Yudha Febrian's career decline?
His career experienced a significant downturn due to a series of disciplinary incidents and allegations of sexual harassment, which have tarnished his reputation and sparked controversy in the entertainment world.
8. Is Yudha Febrian still playing football?
Yudha continues to show his fighting spirit on the green field, actively representing Persikota Tangerang in the Indonesian League 2 for the 2024/2025 season.
His presence in this team further emphasizes his dedication to the world of football, ready to give his best for the club and its supporters.
(kpl/rmt)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.