After PSIM Yogyakarta Penetrated League 1…

Since failing to qualify for the 2008 Indonesian Super League, season after season has passed for PSIM Yogyakarta in their pursuit of a promotion ticket to the highest tier of national football competition. Year after year, that hope was always dashed until finally, the target was achieved in the Pegadaian Liga 2 2024-2025.

PSIM last competed in the Indonesian Premier Division, the old format of Liga 1, during the 2007-2008 season. Playing in the Eastern Region, the team nicknamed "Laskar Mataram" only managed to rank 15th out of 18 participants.

The result caused PSIM to fail in moving up to the Super League, which began in the 2008 edition. This is because teams competing in Liga 1 are required to finish in the top eight positions in the final edition of the Premier Division.

In their journey of more than a decade to return to the top-tier competition, they came very close during the 2021 Liga 2 season. Having advanced to the semifinals of that season's Liga 2, PSIM's efforts to secure promotion were thwarted in the third-place playoff. A 0-1 defeat to Dewa United at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor, West Java, on December 30, 2021, shattered PSIM's dream of reaching Liga 1, which had been within their grasp.

When the ambition for promotion reignited in the 2022 Liga 2, the universe did not align. The Liga 2 competition was halted midway following the occurrence of the Kanjuruhan Tragedy on October 1, 2022.

In the 2023 Liga 2, PSIM once again set their sights on promotion. They successfully advanced to the top 12 round after finishing third in Group 2, but they failed to progress to the semifinals. Laskar Mataram was outperformed by Semen Padang and Persiraja Banda Aceh.

The result of Group X in the top 12 round was painful because PSIM only lost on goal difference to Persiraja, who secured a ticket to the semifinals as the best second-place team.

Until finally the universe fully supports Laskar Mataram to return to the best caste competition in Indonesia in Liga 2 2024-2025. However, their journey to win one of the three promotion tickets to Liga 1 2025-2026 was not so smooth.

Performance declined somewhat in the second half of the regular season, so PSIM decided to end cooperation with coach Seto Nurdiantoro. The presence of caretaker or interim coach Erwan Hendarwanto brought good fortune to PSIM.

Erwan helped PSIM occupy second place in Group 2 of the regular round to qualify for the last eight. The journey in the last eight was very smooth. Only losing once to Persiraja Banda Aceh, Laskar Mataram won six wins, including the final match against Bhayangkara Presisi FC, Wednesday (26/2/2025), at Manahan Stadium, Surakarta, Central Java.

The success of bringing PSIM to end their 17-year wait for promotion and 20 years for the League 2 championship made Erwan receive great appreciation from PSIM supporters. In fact, Laskar Mataram supporters gave Erwan their support as the bringer of good fortune.

"Ah, that's too much," Erwan said with a laugh at the post-match press conference on Wednesday night.

Although he always looks serious on the sidelines to accompany his players to compete, Erwan is a relaxed and humorous figure. As someone who has been on the PSIM official staff since 2022, Erwan is very grateful to be able to help PSIM get promoted and win the League 2 title.

Winning the champion trophy at Manahan Stadium also felt sweet for Laskar Mataram. Because, the rivalry between PSIM and Persis Solo has been rooted since the era of the PSSI tournament in the 1930s.

When asked if he had ever imagined being able to bring PSIM to victory in Manahan, Erwan answered casually.

"I just imagined my wife, he he he. In the language of supporters now, Mataram is Love, so we are happy to receive a welcome from Persis supporters, Pasoepati. Alhamdulillah, we can give the best results here (Manahan)," said the 48-year-old Erwan.

To compete in Liga 1 2025-2026, PSIM is certain to have to make a team overhaul. Primarily, they are certain to have to find a new head coach.

This is because Erwan is constrained by his coaching license. Coaches in League 1 are required to have an AFC Pro license, while Erwan only holds an AFC A license.

"I am aware that the license has not met the requirements. Whoever will handle the team, hopefully PSIM can exist for a long time in League 1," said Erwan.

Yuliana Tasno, President Director of PSIM, also does not want to enjoy the euphoria of successfully meeting the Liga 1 promotion target for too long. She said that PSIM's preparation for Liga 1 next season will begin in the near future, although Liga 1 will only start in early August 2025.

"Starting Monday (3/3/2025), we will start preparations for League 1. We will make the most of our time," said Yuliana.

In the midst of efforts to improve the quality of the team in order to compete in League 1, one of the players this season that the team management hopes to retain is the striker, Rafael “Rafinha” de Sa Rodrigues.

Rafinha has scored 20 goals in Liga 2 this season. That means 50 percent of PSIM's goals came from the sharpness of the 32-year-old player.

After helping PSIM get promoted and winning the 2024-2025 League 2 Best Player trophy, Rafinha is certainly a hot commodity for League 1 teams going into the 2025-2026 season.

After two seasons playing in League 2, previously Rafinha played for PSCS Cilacap, Rafinha has ambitions to play in League 1. He also wants to continue his service with Laskar Mataram.

"I have opened communication with PSIM for a contract extension next season. PSIM remains the main priority. I really love the club, the supporters, and the people in this city (Yogyakarta)," said Rafinha, who first set foot in Asia by pursuing a career in Laos in 2019.

Addi (38), one of PSIM's supporters, hopes to be able to watch Laskar Mataram in League 1 regularly every season. "I'm happy that my wish to see PSIM play in League 1 can finally come true next season. Like this season, I will always try to directly support PSIM every time they play at home," said Addi, who lives in Bantul, DI Yogyakarta.

One thing is for sure, PSIM has the ambition to remain in League 1. They do not want to repeat the story of playing in the highest caste competition which only lasted an average of two seasons since promotion in the Indonesian League era in 1997-1998 and 2005.

Welcome back to the best competition in the country, mbah!