Mapping the journey: developmental issues of U17 football players in Indonesia and Malaysia through the lens of sport psychology

Introduction. Football players under the age of 17 have the potential to become senior-level football players in the future; thus, it is essential to prepare them as well as possible and address various issues that may hinder their development. This research aims to examine the challenges Indonesian and Malaysian U17 football players face on their development path. Material and Methods. This study employs qualitative methods with a grounded theory approach. Twenty-five youth coaches and four parents with a minimum of five years of football coaching experience were surveyed in Indonesia and Malaysia. The data was collected through open-ended semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis. Results. Three main issues were identified: (1) coach abilities, (2) facility issues (physical and social), and (3) ideological transformations related to football revolution and political interference in the development of Indonesian and Malaysian football players. Conclusions. It is recommended that organizations like the Indonesian and Malaysian Football Associations address these issues to optimize the development of young players.