The final match of the 2018 Liga 1 competition, which was held at the Bung Karno main stadium in Jakarta, culminated in Persija Jakarta clinching the championship title. This win marks their first triumph in 17 years, the most recent being in 2001. The prestigious event, attended by the governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan, witnessed Persija’s striker Marko Simic scoring two goals in the 17th minute (penalty) and 59th minute, while Mitra Kukar managed to score a goal in the 88th minute through Aldino Herdianto’s kick. Consequently, Persija topped the final standings of the League 1 with 62 points, just one point ahead of PSM Makassar.
In a separate match at the Andi Mattalata Stadium in Makassar, PSM secured a significant 5-1 victory over PSMS Medan. Regarding Persija’s success, their coach, Stefano “Teco” Cugurra, attributed their victory to the team’s consistent performance throughout the tournament. He commended the players for maintaining high quality and strong mentality, which ultimately led them to claim the championship trophy.
“Persija demonstrated unwavering consistency until the very end. The players and officials exhibited remarkable cohesion. I am immensely grateful for the trust that the club has placed in me to coach this exceptional team,” remarked Teco. The Brazilian coach also emphasized that his team displayed solidity right from the onset of the 2018 final match.
The path to victory was marked by earlier successes for Persija, as they emerged victorious in the Boost Sports Super Fix 2018 tournament in Malaysia in January, followed by a title win at the 2018 Presidential Cup national pre-season tournament in February. These achievements paved the way for their outstanding performance in the Liga 1 competition, solidifying their position as the undisputed champions of the league.
Teco also underscored the team’s perseverance, as they had to adapt to various venues throughout the season. “We have exerted tremendous effort throughout the year, navigating through different stadiums in Bantul, Bekasi, Cikarang, and Bogor, yet the players’ performance remained consistently strong,” he noted.
The indomitable spirit and exceptional performance of the players did not go unnoticed, with Persija’s captain, Ismed Sofyan, applauding the team’s extraordinary mental strength. “The players’ mindset has been exceptional. I extend my gratitude to everyone, especially the management and the devoted Jakmania supporters,” expressed the 39-year-old Sofyan.
The victory not only signifies Persija’s triumphant return to the helm of Indonesian football but also cements their reputation as a team of exceptional skill and resilience. With their remarkable journey throughout 2018, Persija Jakarta has etched their name in the annals of football history, rightfully claiming their well-deserved title as champions of the Liga 1 competition.
This article was compiled from reports by Michael Siahaan, with editing by Bustanujdin. The original reporting was conducted by the Antara news agency and subsequently edited by Suharto. All rights reserved. Copyright © ANTARA 2018.
Leave a Reply