Persijap Jepara's Horse Breath Crushes Defending Champions Persib Bandung

BANDUNG, KOMPAS - Persib Bandung seemed to be fighting against a mirror when hosted by Persijap Jepara at the Gelora Bumi Kartini Stadium on Monday (18/8/2025). At the end of the match, the breath of the Laskar Kalinyamat successfully shattered Persib's game.

Competing in front of their own supporters, Persijap is not afraid to face their opponents. The status of defending champion Persib does not intimidate Persijap, the promoted team this season.

Since the first half, Persijap has been attacking swiftly through its agile wings. This scheme is somewhat similar to what Persib usually played during the era of Coach Bojan Hodak.

The forwards and wingbacks from both sides took turns attacking. Time and again, wing forwards Carlos Franca and Alexis Gomes became a terror for Persib.

As a result, Persib's gameplay has struggled to develop. Wing backs, Kakang Rudianto and Frans Putros, who usually initiate attacks, have been forced to defend deeper.

Key wing forwards such as Berguinho and Beckham Putra once again failed to provide assists for striker Uiliam Baros. The wing backs of Persijap, Najeeb Yakubu and Rahmat Hidayat, successfully neutralized the creativity of both players.

In fact, instead of providing a pass, Beckham had to be stretchered off due to an injury sustained after being tackled by an opposing defender at the end of the first half.

This time, both of his legs were not strong enough to withstand the high-pressure physical game devised by Persijap's coach from Portugal, Mario Lemos.

Entering the second half, Bojan realized this weakness. He substituted three wingers at once.

The left-back Kakang, who has already received a yellow card, was replaced by Henhen Herdiana. The attacking wing Saddil Ramdani took over the position previously held by Beckham. Berguinho, who failed to perform well, was substituted for striker Ramon Tanque.

The attacking pattern of Persib has also changed. Instead of relying on the flanks, Persib has focused its play on the midfield to provide breakthrough passes forward. This time, Marc Klok and Luciano Guaycochea are in control of the game.

However, it was the relentless and determined play of Persijap that managed to score first. A breakthrough by Alexis Gomes was successfully converted into a goal by Carlos Franca in the 68th minute.

Trailing by one goal, Persib played more aggressively. After several failed attempts, a chance arose through a penalty kick in the 92nd minute. Striker Ulliam did not squander that opportunity, converting it into a goal.

However, the breath of the horse Persijap determined the outcome of the match. The wait for a victory after 11 years of absence in the top tier was born in the 94th minute.

At that time, two minutes before the match ended, substitute striker Sudi Abdallah took advantage of the chaos in Persib's back line.

Uncontrolled, Sudi unleashed a powerful kick that broke through the goal defended by Teja Paku Alam. Until the final whistle blew, Persijap led 2-1.

Persib coach Bojan Hodak is very upset with this defeat. He described the second goal scored by Persijap as a foolish mistake that should not have happened.

Hodak cannot comprehend how the second goal could occur. This clearly should not happen in any match. At that moment, there were two opposing players moving freely along the defensive line without any oversight.

“Mistakes are stupid and should not be tolerated,” he said.

However, the goal in the final minute was just one of many mistakes in this match. Hodak mentioned that the flow of passes was also stagnant, which made it difficult for the team to develop their game.

"The attacking line also didn't create many chances and shots," he said.

However, Hodak was reluctant to blame one or two players. All lines, he said, were responsible for this result.

"All players must build a better understanding in every match," he said.

Beckham Putra also acknowledged that this match is not easy for Persib. In addition to playing away, the players' physical condition has already been tested before the match began. Persib must undertake an eight-hour land journey from Bandung to Jepara.

"Initially, we wanted to maximize this away game. Hopefully, we can improve our performance in the next match," said Beckham.