Week 9 of the BRI Super League features an exciting match between Persita Tangerang and the promoted team, PSIM Yogyakarta, at Indomilk Arena on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 3:30 PM local time. This match is not only crucial in the battle for the top positions in the standings but is also marked by an emotional reunion with the return of two former stars of Pendekar Cisadane.

This match pits Persita, who are in second place in the standings with 13 points (the result of four consecutive wins), against PSIM, who are closely trailing in third place with 12 points.

Threat from Former Players

The main focus for Persita fans will undoubtedly be on two players in the Laskar Mataram (PSIM) squad who previously wore the purple jersey: Ezequiel Vidal and Fahreza Sudin. Both defended Persita in recent seasons and are now ready to pose a threat to the home team.

Besides Vidal and Sudin, Persita, under the guidance of their coach, must also be wary of other key PSIM players, such as Ze Valente, Nermin Haljeta, and Anton Fase. However, PSIM will definitely be without their Dutch player, Donny Warmerdam, who is still recovering from an injury.

Pressure and Mentality

Addressing his team’s positive trend and the threat from the opponent, the Persita coach chose to remain grounded.

“We are not one of the favorites and we do not want to hear the ‘noise’ from outside. It is still too early to look at the standings,” said the coach, emphasizing the importance of focusing from one match to the next.

The coach stressed that no match in the league is easy, especially against a team with a good away record like PSIM. “Everyone on the team knows that we have to give 100% if we want to get points from any match,” he added.

The last meeting between the two teams took place in 2012 in the semifinals of the Indonesian Premier Division, which was then dominated by Persita. However, the situation is now very different, and this duel at Indomilk Arena is certain to be a test of the mentality of both teams at the top of the BRI Super League.

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Indomilk Arena

The Indomilk Arena, originally known as the Kelapa Gading Sports Hall, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Jakarta, Indonesia. It was notably used as a primary venue for basketball during the 2018 Asian Games. The arena is named after its sponsor, Indomilk, a major Indonesian dairy company.

Persita Tangerang

Persita Tangerang is a professional football club based in Tangerang, Indonesia. Founded in 1962, the club has a long history in Indonesian football and has competed in the country’s top-tier league. The club is known for its passionate fan base and its home matches are played at the Benteng Taruna Stadium.

PSIM Yogyakarta

PSIM Yogyakarta is a historic Indonesian football club founded in 1929, making it one of the oldest clubs in the country. Based in the culturally rich city of Yogyakarta, it is popularly known as “Laskar Mataram” (The Mataram Warriors) and has a passionate local fanbase. The club has experienced periods of success in national competitions and remains a significant symbol of local identity and sporting pride.

Pendekar Cisadane

“Pendekar Cisadane” refers to a legendary martial arts master (pendekar) from the folklore of the Sundanese people in West Java, Indonesia, associated with the Cisadane River. The tales describe him as a skilled and wise warrior who protected local communities and upheld justice. While not a physical site, this figure is an important part of the local oral history and cultural heritage surrounding the river region.

Laskar Mataram

“Laskar Mataram” refers to a student militia force that fought for Indonesian independence during the Indonesian National Revolution (1945-1949). The group was formed in Yogyakarta and was known for its strong nationalist spirit, taking its name from the patriotic song “Indonesia Raya” and the term “Mataram,” which references a historic Javanese kingdom. They played a significant role in various battles against Dutch forces in the early stages of the revolution.

BRI Super League

The BRI Super League is a professional rugby league competition primarily based in the north of England, founded in 1996 as the Super League. It was established as part of the sport’s move to a summer schedule to make it more commercially competitive, and it has since become the top-level rugby league club competition in the Northern Hemisphere.

Indonesian Premier Division

The Indonesian Premier Division, now known as Liga 2, is the second-tier professional football league in Indonesia. It was established as part of the country’s football league system reforms and serves as a crucial promotion pathway to the top-flight Liga 1. Historically, the league has undergone several name changes and reorganizations to develop domestic football talent and competitive clubs.