Three I League Cup Matches End in Goal Fests: PSS Sleman and Java United Hit Half a Dozen

PSS Sleman put on a commanding display in front of their own supporters, thrashing PSGC Ciamis six goals to nil in the 2026/2027 I League Cup match at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, on Wednesday (4/11/2026) afternoon WIB. The win sends a serious signal to the other teams in the pre-season competition that has just kicked off.

The star of PSS's victory was none other than Brazilian striker Gustavo Henrique Barbosa Freire. He scored four goals—in the 33rd minute, the 45+2nd (penalty), the 73rd (penalty), and the 90+2nd. The other two goals were contributed by Dimas Drajad in the 49th and 54th minutes. PSS's dominance was evident from the start, with possession and relentless pressure on the PSGC defense.

At Jatidiri Stadium, Semarang, Java United were equally eager to bare their teeth. They routed Adhyaksa FC Bekasi 5-0. Gustavo Moreno De Franca was the main actor with his hat-trick in the 6th, 52nd, and 77th minutes. Ridho Syuhada (27th minute) and Ciro Alves (47th minute) completed Java United's goal fest. The win showed the effectiveness of Java United's attack, which was able to take its chances coolly.

Meanwhile, at Pakansari Stadium, Bogor Regency, Persikad Depok hammered Persiku Kudus 6-2. Gustavo Evaristo De Franca scored a hat-trick within a seven-minute span (75', 77', 82'), two of them from penalties. Persikad's other three goals came from Satria Dwi Utomo (25'), Jhon Edy Mena Perez (43'), and Nico Fernando Sitepu (64'). Despite conceding two goals, Persikad still dominated the run of play.

The big wins in these three matches show that the 2026/2027 I League Cup is a proving ground for teams to sharpen their strategies before the official competition begins. The PSS coach, in a separate statement, called the result the fruit of thorough preparation and growing chemistry among the players. "We still have homework, especially in maintaining consistency," he said, as quoted on the club's official page.

For Indonesian football, a pre-season event like this is an important barometer for measuring clubs' readiness, especially in facing the crowded Liga 1 schedule. The dominance of foreign players on the scoresheet is also a note in itself—is this a sign of the competition's rising quality or rather a dependence on imported players? The public certainly hopes the I League Cup is not merely a goal fest but also a stage for local talent to shine.

Looking ahead, the big question: can the teams that won big today maintain their momentum into the regular competition? Or are these results merely an illusion because the opponents they faced were not yet on par? What is clear is that the 2026/2027 I League Cup has just offered a signal that this season's competition will be fierce and full of surprises.