Indonesia Liga 1 Notes From Week 9 – Potential Champions and Relegation Contenders

PS TIRA and the Javanese Championship 

The 1-1 game between PS TIRA-Persikabo against Persebaya Surabaya last Sunday (21/7) allowed Laskar Padjajaran to maintain their place as the league leaders without losing a single game after playing for nine weeks. They are now chasing Persija Jakarta’s status as the titleholder and a unique record of a 12-game unbeaten run. After the first nine weeks, many people are now starting to think that the next  there’s a myth that a club from Java it’s still strong the be champions. So far, three out of the top five clubs from Java. Only Bali United (second) and Borneo FC (fifth) come from other regions. 

Bali United Back on the Track

After two consecutive losses in their last two games, Bali United finally earned three points to keep themselves in the title race with TIRA-Persikabo in Week 10. They collected full points again in front of their supporters in Dipta stadium with a comfortable 3-0 win against PSS Sleman last Monday to close the points gap with Laskar Padjajaran to just one. In the next match, Serdadu Tridatu will face Persib Bandung while Super Elja will play against Barito Putera in Maguwoharjo.

Sumatran Clubs Struggle To Survive in Liga 1

Since the Liga 1 era, most Sumatran clubs have struggled to register good achievements in the league. This season, Semen Padang are still looking for their first win, standing in the lowest position on the table with only three points from three consecutive draws. “New faces” Badak Lampung FC also sit in 13th having collected 9 points, one better than Kabau Sirah. Are they gonna followed PSMS Medan and Sriwijaya FC’s path last season by being relegated to Liga 2?

An Elegy Behind Maung Bandung’s Winning In Magelang

Persib Bandung were able to steal full points at the Moch Soebroto stadium in Magelang when they met PSIS Semarang last Sunday, with the game's only goal scored by Ezechiel N’Douasel. But aside from their win, Maung Bandung just fined 50 million rupiahs as the team got five yellow cards in a single match, and were referred to the league's regulation about fair-play. Ardi Idrus, Saepulloh Maulana, Rene Mihelic, Henhen Herdiana and Hariono were all booked in this match. Hariono will now miss the next game against Bali United due to the accumulation of yellow cards. 

Kalteng Putra The King of Yellow Cards

This week there were three red cards that came out from referee’s pocket, one of them is for PSIS midfielder, Patrick Mota when they meet Persib last Sunday. The clubs who collected the most red cards is Bali United, Bhayangkara FC and Persela Lamongan (2 red cards each). Meanwhile, promoted club Kalteng Putra have collected 34 yellow cards, the most in the division, while  Persija Jakarta, lead the fair-play charts with five yellow cards. Both have collected one red card each so far. 

Results of Week 10

Here are all the results from Week 10 which already finished on Monday. Two matches are already postponed because of the schedule of 2018/2019 Piala Indonesia Finals between Persija Jakarta against PSM Makassar. Both clubs still don't play in the next game week. Juku Eja sit in the 7th position with 13 points from six games while Macan Kemayoran in 17th position with six points from seven games.