"Bobotoh" Buys Final Tickets, Persib Determined to Play Flawlessly

Bandung residents are preparing to welcome the BRI Liga 1 final. Maximum support has been shown for Persib to win.

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Several bobotoh watched Persib Bandung's closed practice at the Sidolig Stadium, Bandung, West Java, Friday (24/5/2024). Even though they couldn't get a closer look at the players, this didn't deter the "Maung Bandung" supporters.

BANDUNG, KOMPAS — In just less than 48 hours, ticket sales for the first final match of the BRI Liga 1 2023-2024 championship series between Persib Bandung and Madura United, Sunday (26/5/2024) at 19.00 WIB, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, West Java, it has sold out. Persib coach Bojan Hodak hopes that the best performance of his team will continue in the two top match games.

Persib management implemented three online sales methods for bobotoh, as Persib supporters are called, to be able to buy tickets for the final match. Sales via the Persib application started on Wednesday (22/5/2024) evening.

The first method is early bird by offering a 20 percent discount for supporters who have purchased at least five tickets for Persib's home matches beforehand. Then, the second method is pre-sale with a 10 percent discount for bobotoh who have purchased tickets for the "Maung Bandung" home match at least once this season. Ticket purchases using the two discount methods were valid last Wednesday and Thursday.

Furthermore, bobotoh can buy tickets at normal prices starting on Friday morning. Normal ticket prices are priced at IDR 600,000 for naratama (VIP) main; IDR 300,000 for the west, north and south sides of Naratama; and IDR 175,000 for the north, south and east stands. However, on Friday before 11.00 WIB, tickets with the three sales methods had sold out.

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Several young bobotoh watched Persib Bandung's closed practice at the Sidolig Stadium, Bandung, West Java, Friday (24/5/2024). Even though they couldn't get a closer look at the players, this didn't deter the "Maung Bandung" supporters.

”We really appreciate the great enthusiasm of bobotoh which has resulted in tickets being sold out. "Hopefully bobotoh's support can provide an injection of enthusiasm for the team to achieve victory in the final match," said Head of Communications of PT Persib Bandung Bermartabat Adhi Pratama in Bandung, Friday (24/5/2024).

Apart from direct ticket sales, Persib management also implemented a promotion to purchase player issue jerseys for IDR 799,000 at the Persib Store last Wednesday with free east stand tickets. Promotions for purchasing home, away jerseys and alternative versions of the player issue with bonus game tickets have also sold out, Thursday.

Adhi revealed that the promotion of purchasing the highest quality jerseys with free tickets to the final match was a form of thanks from the team management for the support of supporters during this season. The final match of the championship series was the final appearance of David Da Silva and his friends in Bandung in the 2023-2024 edition of the competition.

Jana (25), a Persib supporter, came to the Persib Store to buy Persib's home jersey this season, Friday afternoon. Even though he was disappointed that he didn't get the promo to buy jerseys with free final game tickets, he still bought quality player issue jerseys. Jana doesn't want to miss out on enjoying the historic moment that Persib has the opportunity to become champions of the Indonesian League for the third time since the unification of national competitions in 1994-1995.

Also read: Persib relies on counterattacks and set pieces in the League 1 Championship Series Final

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Visitors queue to pay for Persib Bandung jerseys purchased at Persib Store in Bandung, West Java, on Friday (24/5/2024). Sales of "Maung Bandung" club merchandise skyrocketed ahead of the final match against Madura United.

"I believe that Persib can become champion again this year. We have not felt the championship euphoria for a long time," said Jana, who works as an online motorcycle taxi driver.

As for bobotoh who did not get direct tickets to the match at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Persib is holding six locations for watching together or watching together in the city of Bandung. One location for the nobar took place in a mall, namely Summarecon Mall Bandung. The nobar ticket price is IDR 100,000.

There are five other viewing spots available at CGV movie theaters located in Paris Van Java, 23 Paskal Shopping Center, Bandung Electronic Center, Metro Indah Mall, and Miko Mall. The ticket price for viewing at those theaters is Rp 85,000.

Team preparation

Amid the great enthusiasm of supporters, the Persib squad underwent intensive tactical training on Friday afternoon at the Sidolig Stadium in Bandung. The practice session was closed to the presence of the media and supporters.

Also read: League 1 Final, Six Interesting Facts Ahead of Persib Bandung vs Madura United

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Persib Bandung closed training atmosphere at Sidolig Stadium, Bandung, West Java, Friday (24/5/2024). Even though it was closed, hundreds of bobotoh were still present at the stadium.

Despite this, hundreds of supporters still came to Sidolig. They could only watch their prideful players' actions from behind the iron fence that closed off access to the field.

Apart from being covered by an iron fence, the view towards the field is also blocked by a large blue tarpaulin. This situation did not stop Ana (17), one of the bobotohs, from faithfully watching the Maung Bandung players practice. He doesn't mind that his view of his favorite players is blocked by fences and tarpaulins.

”At least I can still see the players practicing. "Hopefully Persib will win again in Bandung," he said.

The training led by Hodak took place from around 16.00 to 17.45. After hearing the whistle for the end of practice, one by one the bobotoh also left one of the oldest football fields in Bandung.

Also read: Persib Bandung Getting Closer to Third Title

Madura relies on team cohesion. So, we shouldn't just focus on anticipating a few players.

Persib coach Bojan Hodak revealed that he has studied Madura's strengths. Bojan acknowledged the creative and sharp midfield advantage of Madura.

“Madura relies on team cohesion. "So, we can't just focus on anticipating a few players," said Bojan.

In the regular season of the 1st League this year, Persib was held to a draw by Madura, 1-1, at home, but the match took place when Maung Bandung was still under the guidance of Luis Milla. Together with Hodak, Persib managed to secure a narrow 1-0 victory at Madura's home stadium, the Bangkalan Stadium. The single goal was scored by center-back Nick Kuipers, thanks to his use of a set piece opportunity.

On the other hand, Hodak is also optimistic that his proteges can show similar maximum performance in the two semifinal matches against Bali United. The forward players, such as Stefano Beltrame, David Da Silva, Ciro Alves, and Febri Hariyadi, will be relied upon by the Croatian passport-holding coach to pursue victory with as many goals as possible in the first match.

Also read: Madura United Makes History, Challenges Persib in the Final

DOKUMENTASI PERSIB BANDUNG

Persib Bandung's coach, Bojan Hodak, observed his players during training at the Sidolig Stadium in Bandung, West Java on Thursday (23/5/2024). Persib will face Madura United in the final match of the 2023/2024 Liga 1 on May 26th and 31st, 2024.

Meanwhile, Madura is still undergoing its final training in Bangkalan, Madura, East Java. The "Laskar Sape Kerrab" squad is scheduled to depart from Surabaya, East Java, to Bandung on Saturday (25/5/2024) morning. After that, Hugo "Jaja" Gomes and his colleagues will immediately conduct official training ahead of the match at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Madura's interim coach, Rakhmad Basuki, can play the main players, such as Jaja, Francisco Rivera, Malik Risaldi, Cleberson, and Fachruddin Aryanto. Madura only loses young winger, Riski Afrisal, who has been released from the team to join the U-20 Indonesia Team's training center to face the 2024 Toulon Cup in France and the 2024 AFF U-19 Cup in the period of June-July.