Persib's September Report Card: Three Wins, One Loss, and History in Seoul

Persib Bandung ended September 2026 with a record of three wins from four matches across the BRI Super League and AFC Champions League Two. The sole defeat came from eternal rivals, Persija Jakarta, in a duel that ended 1-2 at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium.

The series of matches began on September 6 when Persib hosted PSM Makassar at Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium. Maung Bandung displayed dominant play and won 3-1, opening the domestic competition with a positive signal. However, that momentum was halted six days later in Jakarta. Ivan Mamut's injury-time goal forced Adam Alis and his teammates to return home without points, despite holding the hosts to a draw until the final minutes.

That defeat did not deter Igor Tolic's squad. Persib immediately flew to South Korea to face FC Seoul in the opening match of ACL Two Group E. Arriving with several key players absent—Uilliam Barros, Gakuto Notsuda, Sandy Walsh, and Danijel Loncar—Persib surprisingly displayed disciplined defense and snatched a 1-0 winning goal at Seoul World Cup Stadium. This result was recorded as the first victory for an Indonesian representative in South Korea, an achievement that elevated the national football's bargaining position in Asian club competitions.

"The victory in Seoul was not just three points, but proof that Indonesian teams are capable of competing at the Asian level even without their best players," said a national football observer, responding to the result.

Back on the domestic front, Persib faced Persijap Jepara in the third week of the BRI Super League at Gelora Bumi Kartini Stadium. After falling behind early to a Pirulo penalty in the 12th minute, Persib turned the game around with two goals from Thom Haye (20th minute) and Uilliam Barros (54th minute). The 2-1 victory ensured Persib closed September on a positive trend.

From a domestic competition perspective, this report card positions Persib as one of the strong candidates for the BRI Super League title. Consistency in securing points both home and away, coupled with the ability to come back from behind, serves as valuable capital. However, the defeat to Persija indicates that derby matches remain a vulnerable point that needs evaluation, especially in maintaining concentration until the final whistle.

For Indonesian football more broadly, the victory in Seoul provides psychological impact and boosts reputation. Asian clubs will no longer view Indonesian teams as mere participants, but as formidable opponents. This also signals to league organizers to continuously improve the quality of domestic competition so that achievements at the Asian level are not sporadic.

After a short break, Persib will face Port FC from Thailand in the opening match of Group B of the ASEAN Club Championship 2026/2027 in Bangkok on October 8. This match will test the squad's depth and adaptability in a different regional competition. Can Persib maintain momentum and bring home points from Thailand? The answer will indicate the extent of their ambitions on the Asian stage.