Had Decreased After Being Overthrown By Persib, Persija Carried Out An Rising Mission When Meeting Persik

JAKARTA - Persija Jakarta will face Persik Kediri in the 29th week of Liga 1 2023/2024 at the Captain I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Bali, Saturday, March 16, 2024.

After being defeated by Persib Bandung 1-2, Thomas Doll as the coach of the Kemayoran Tigers carried a mission to rise.

The match against Maung Bandung made Persija come down to 12th position in the standings. No wonder, the match against Persik became a moment for the Kemayoran Tigers to rise and win the full three points.

Victory over Persik Kediri could be Persija's positive capital to navigate the rest of the season.

"Yes, we are already in Bali again for the home match and departing from today (15/3/2024). Now, we will undergo the final training session before the match," said Thomas Doll in an interview Friday, March 15, 2024.

"The mood is good. We hope to be able to play well and look at opportunities for competition in the standings. We are in a moment that requires three points," he said.

"Three points is the most important moment for us. I think the players are ready," said Doll again.

Given that the match was held in the month of Ramadan, Thomas Doll said there were many changes that occurred, especially the training schedule. Even so, the coach did not feel it was a significant obstacle.

"This week has changed a lot because Ramadan has started. So, we have to change the schedule for the training session. Normally, we started the training session at 15.30 WIB, but now we are starting at 19.00 WIB," said Doll.

"So, the players can eat first before training. I think everyone understands that the mood is not too good in the last two days after losing at the derby (against Persib)."

"However, we get two days off and the players can calm their minds. During training day always goes well," he said.

However, taking the three points from Persik can't be easy. The White Tigers are a serious challenger on the Championship Series.

They are only three points adrift of Madura United, which currently occupies the final share of the Championship Series, aka fourth place in the standings.

Persija must fight hard to eliminate Persik's ambition to advance to the top four. Motive capital away from the pursuit of the relegation zone team is clearly a trigger to silence the White Tigers.