Garudayaksa FC Rejects Long Break, Persita Already Waiting in Serang

Garudayaksa FC's management chose to shorten the squad's break during the pause in the 2026/2027 BRI Super League season, which was adjusted to accommodate the FIFA ASEAN Cup. The decision was made because tough matches await, especially the trip to Persita Tangerang's home ground on 10 October 2026 at Banten International Stadium, Serang.

PSSI did suspend the competition because the Indonesia national team is hosting the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup, which runs from 21 September to 5 October 2026. The event is FIFA's first tournament in Southeast Asia, with Indonesia entrusted as the main host. John Herdman's team is in Division 1 (Premier Division) Group A alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and Bangladesh, while Group B comprises Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Pakistan. Division 2 (Challenge Division) is being held in Hong Kong, with Group A featuring Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Brunei Darussalam, and Group B comprising Cambodia, Laos, and Timor-Leste.

Amid that pause, Garudayaksa FC does not want to lose its fitness momentum. The club's media officer, Yudianto Nugroho, stressed that the players are only off until Thursday, 24 September 2026. "We are still on break. The day after tomorrow, Thursday, we start training again," he told Bola.com on Tuesday (22/9/2026). The move shows the management views the international break not as a time to relax, but as an opportunity to improve the team's foundations.

Persita arrive with high confidence. Three matches without defeat is valuable capital for Carlos Pena's team. Conversely, Garudayaksa FC, nicknamed Spirit of Garuda, are still searching for their playing identity. As a promoted team, they have not won a single match in the top flight this season. Two draws and one defeat have left them vulnerable, making the duel in Serang a test to claim their first three points.

Coach Milos Joksic admits his squad is still a work in progress. The Serbian tactician, who previously managed Uthai Thani in the Thai League, said the starting XI is not yet fully filled with the best strength. Most of the players, including foreign signings, are new faces and some have only just joined. "This team is being built. We are a team that does not yet have full strength. We still have additional players who will come to play in the first eleven," Joksic said.

This situation reflects the common challenge for promoted clubs in the BRI Super League: tactical adaptation, chemistry between players, and competitive pressure all running at once. The management hopes the short break will actually speed up the integration of new players. With a packed schedule after the FIFA ASEAN Cup, every match becomes crucial, especially for a team that has yet to find a winning rhythm.

For Indonesian football fans, Garudayaksa FC's decision to shorten the break also highlights how BRI Super League clubs are responding to a competition calendar cut by international commitments. While the Indonesia national team plays on the regional stage, clubs are required to maintain their performance so they do not lose competitiveness when the competition resumes. Persita, who are on fire, will be a real test of the sharpness of Joksic's strategy.

If Garudayaksa FC fail to win again, pressure on the team-building project could increase. Conversely, a first win in Serang could become a turning point for confidence. Can Spirit of Garuda use this short break to break the deadlock, or will Persita widen the gap even further?