Persib Bandung Always Beats the East Java Team in the Indonesian League Final

Persib packed a perfect record in the final two games of the Indonesian League against the East Java team. Can the streak continue?

KOMPAS/JIMMY S HARIANTO

Captain of PSMS Medan Sunardi B (top right) accompanied by captain of Persib Bandung, Adeng Hudaya (top left), and captain of PSM Makassar, Abdi Tunggal (bottom right), brought the Championship Trophy of Perserikatan 1985 at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta on February 23, 1985. PSMS became the champion after winning the penalty shootout against Persib, while PSM occupied the third place.

In the history of participation in competitions created by the Association of Football All Indonesia (PSSI) since it was named the 1951 PSSI National Championship, Persib Bandung has a good record every time they face teams from East Java in the round for the championship trophy. "Maung Bandung" recorded a 100 percent winning record in the two finals against the team from the eastern side of Java Island.

Persib's positive record was published in the 1989-1990 edition of the United Association. They beat Persebaya, 2-0, in the final match at the Senayan Utama Stadium, Jakarta, March 11 1990. Persib's victory was confirmed through an own goal from Persebaya player, Subangkit, as well as player goal contributions. replacement, Dede Rosadi.

We and Madura are the two best teams (Indonesia) at the moment.

Five years later, Persib was crowned as the champion of the first edition of the Indonesian League, precisely in the 1994-1995 season, after defeating the East Java team from Galatama, Petrokimia Putra, with a single goal scored by Sutiono in the second half. The match was played at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta.

In the 2023-2024 BRI Liga 1 final, Persib will face Madura United, which has the opportunity to become the third East Java team they defeat in the top match of the Indonesian League. In contrast to Persebaya and Petrokimia which have existed since the United and Galatama era, Madura is one of the phenomena of the presence of new clubs after FIFA lifted the freeze on Indonesia's membership in 2016.

Also read: In order not to lose in Bandung, Madura United Strengthens Players' Mentality

Madura United emerged thanks to the takeover of the club license owned by Pelita Bandung Raya. The founder and former President of Madura United, Achsanul Qosasi, negotiated the license with Pelita Bandung Raya's owner - formerly known as Pelita Jaya - Nirwan Bakrie, in 2016.

KOMPAS

The players and coaching staff of Persib Bandung celebrated their championship title in the 1986 Perserikatan First Division edition at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta on March 11, 1986. Persib won 1-0 against Perseman Manokwari.

Although having a longer history and experience as champions of the Indonesian League, Persib is sure not to underestimate Madura in the final match which begins with the first game on Sunday (26/5/2024) at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung, West Java. After that, Persib will visit Madura's home, Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java, on Friday (31/5/2024).

”Madura deserves to be in the final because they have great players and played well during this season and in the semifinals of the championship series. "We and Madura are the two best teams (Indonesia) at the moment," said Persib Coach Bojan Hodak in Bandung, Saturday (25/4/2024).

Apart from competing against the East Java team, Persib also has a perfect record of winning in the Indonesian League finals against clubs from Papua Island. Perseman Manokwari and Persipura Jayapura are representatives from the "Land of Cenderawasih" who have experienced the best performance of Maung Bandung in the final match.

Also read: Bojan Hodak's Experience in the Final of Persib Capital Chasing Third Trophy

Persib defeated Perseman at Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta on March 11, 1986, thanks to a single goal by Djadjang Nurdjaman. After retiring, Djadjang also presented the championship trophy as coach of Persib in the Indonesian Super League 2014.

Helpless

However, Persib's percentage of winning against two legendary teams from outside of Java Island, namely PSM Makassar and PSMS Medan, is not particularly outstanding. Persib's winning record in the final against PSM is only 50 percent from two meetings, while Persib recorded zero percent of victories in three final duels against PSMS. All of these matches were created in the era of amateur PSSI or Perserikatan competitions during the period from 1951 to 1994.

KOMPAS/ARBAIN RAMBEY

Captain of Persib Bandung, Robby Darwis, lifted the championship trophy of Liga Indonesia 1994-1995 at Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta, on July 30th, 1995. Persib became the champions after defeating Petrokimia Putra in the final match with a score of 1-0.

Since PSSI held the final match to determine the Indonesian champion in the 1964-1965 edition of the National Championship of Indonesia, Persib has been able to reach the finals in the 1965-1966 season. In their first opportunity to appear in the ultimate match, Persib suffered a defeat of 0-2 to PSM at the Teladan Stadium, Medan, North Sumatra, in September 1966.

At that time, PSM was still strengthened by their all-time best player, Ramang. Not only did Ramang play, but he also scored PSM's second goal through a penalty kick after Persib midfielder, Sunarto, touched the ball with his hand in the penalty box. Another PSM goal was created by right winger player, Manan.

It took almost 30 years for Persib to retaliate their defeat against PSM. They surpassed PSM with a score of 2-0 in the Perserikatan final of 1993-1994. Yudi Guntara and Sutiono Lamso ensured Persib's championship title at Senayan Main Stadium, Jakarta.

Also read: Facing Madura United, Persib Bandung will not change the composition of 11 core players

As for the rivalry with PSMS, it did not go well for Persib. Maung Bandung suffered three defeats in the final matches against the team nicknamed "Ayam Kinantan". This occurred during the 1966-1967, 1983, and 1985 seasons.

Outside Bandung

Apart from the record in the final match, Persib also recorded other unique facts. They have never lifted the championship trophy in Bandung. If they can win their third title in the Indonesian League era, the championship celebration will be held first in Madura. After that, Persib can only party in front of millions of bobotoh in "Kota Kembang".

Persib coach Bojan Hodak revealed that, if given a choice, he and his squad would prefer to play their second game in Bandung rather than in Madura. However, he continued, the rules have been set from the beginning, so their focus is on gaining an advantage as the home team in the first game.

"Playing in Bandung and Madura, our target is to achieve victory," said Hodak, who has a Croatian passport.

In the 1994-1995 season, they won the championship title at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta. Later, Maung Bandung brought home the champion trophy from Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang, South Sumatra, in the 2014 edition of the competition.

Persib won three championship titles through the final rounds of the Perserikatan held at the Senayan Main Stadium in Jakarta. This achievement was made in the seasons 1985, 1989-1990, and 1993-1994.

Also read: Four Key Madura United Players Get Persib Bandung's Attention

When the PSSI still held competitions using a series system with several different cities designated as hosts from 1951 to 1964, Persib also never secured a championship title in Bandung.

KOMPAS/MUHAMMAD IKHSAN MAHAR

Young Bobotoh witnessed Persib Bandung's closed practice at Sidolig Stadium in Bandung, West Java on Friday (24/5/2024). Although they couldn't see the players up close, it didn't diminish the enthusiasm of "Maung Bandung" supporters.

In the 1961 PSSI National League, Persib secured the championship title at Diponegoro Stadium in Semarang, Central Java. Persib defeated Persija 3-1, thus surpassing PSM Makassar's points on the leaderboard. Persib earned 11 points from six matches, while PSM followed closely with 10 points. At that time, only two points were awarded for a victory.

If we go back further to the era of PSSI intercity tournaments, which were only held on Java Island before Indonesia's independence or during the period of 1931 to 1943, Persib also never won in Bandung. At that time, Tegallega Field in Bandung hosted tournaments in the 1936 and 1941 editions.

It was not Persib who became champion in Bandung, but rather Persis Solo. On the other hand, Persib won the championship title in the pre-independence PSSI tournament in the 1937 edition held at Sriwedari Stadium, Surakarta, Central Java.