The electric final match of the Liga 1 competition concluded with Persija Jakarta securing the championship title, marking their first victory since 2001. The exhilarating match took place at Jakarta’s Bung Karno main stadium, graced by the presence of Jakarta’s governor Anies Baswedan. During the match, striker Marko Simic demonstrated his prowess by scoring two goals in the 17th minute (penalty) and the 59th minute, securing a victory for Persija. Conversely, Mitra Kukar managed to score one goal in the 88th minute through Aldino Herdianto’s kick, falling short in their efforts to clinch the title.
In a fierce battle for the top spot, Persija emerged victorious by a narrow margin, collecting 62 points in the final standings, just one point ahead of PSM Makassar. Meanwhile, PSM delivered a resounding 5-1 victory against PSMS Medan in the match held at the Andi Mattalata Stadium in Makassar.
Stefano “Teco” Cugurra, the coach of Persija, attributed the team’s success to their unwavering consistency throughout the Indonesian League 1 2018. He commended the players for maintaining their quality of play and mentality, overcoming every obstacle they encountered on their path to glory. “Persija was consistent to the end. All players and officials were very compact. Thank you for everything, for the club that gave me the confidence to train this team,” expressed Teco, reflecting on the monumental achievement of winning the Indonesian League 1 title.
The Brazilian coach emphasized that Persija exhibited solidarity and cohesion right from the beginning of the 2018 final match, solidifying their status as a formidable force in the world of soccer. Their triumph in the Indonesian League 1 2018 added to their list of accomplishments, following their victories in the Boost Sports Super Fix 2018 in Malaysia and the 2018 Presidential Cup national pre-season tournament earlier in the year.
Teco acknowledged the dedication and resilience of the team, particularly highlighting the challenges they faced in having to adapt to different playing venues throughout the season. “We worked very hard throughout the year because in this season Persija had to move around to a cage. Besides being in the Bung Karno stadium, we had been based in Bantul, Bekasi, Cikarang, Bogor, but the performance of the players remained stable,” shared Teco, shedding light on the team’s remarkable consistency.
In the midst of the triumphs and tribulations, Persija captain Ismed Sofyan lauded the exceptional mentality and performance of the players, expressing gratitude to the management and Jakmania supporters for their unwavering support. The 39-year-old Sofyan’s commendation echoed the sentiments of a team who had defied all odds and emerged as champions.
The exhilarating culmination of the Liga 1 competition exemplifies perseverance, teamwork, and unyielding spirit as Persija Jakarta etches their name in the annals of Indonesian soccer history. Through their remarkable journey to victory, Persija has solidified their status as an indomitable force in the world of soccer, showcasing the epitome of sportsmanship and athletic excellence.
Source: ANTARA 2018
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