PSS Slightly Loses Amid Relegation Threats, Coach Criticizes Referee And VAR Performance

JAKARTA - PSS Sleman coach Pieter Huistra could not hide his disappointment after losing 0-1 to Dewa United. On the sidelines of this situation, he also expressed criticism of the performance of referees and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) which was deemed to continue to be detrimental to his team.

PSS host Dewa United in the 29th week of Liga 1 2024/2025 on Thursday, April 17 evening WIB. In the match at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, the hosts lost 0-1 to the visitors because of Alexis Messidoro's single goal in the 27th minute.

This result is clearly disappointing in the midst of the efforts of the Javanese Super Elang which is struggling to leave the relegation zone. Huistra also felt more disappointment due to the referee's decision.

He considered the referee's decision to award Dewa United a penalty in the second half extra minutes should have been checked by VAR first.

"We don't need referees from Singapore in Indonesia, we don't need that. We need referees who talk to VAR (wasit), and the penalty in my opinion is really unbelievable, a joke," Huistra said after the match quoted Friday, April 18.

"Yes, very, very disappointed (with the referee), because this is not the first time. I have had six matches with PSS, we have suffered four times. Four of the six matches since I came here," he said.

Not only the referee, Huistra also expressed his frustration with VAR performance which he considered always not to side with PSS.

"I don't know before I coached PSS. The VAR, I don't know what has been done for Sleman. But in my opinion, it really can't be trusted, it happened repeatedly," said the former Borneo FC player.

"I think they didn't even check the penalty, used VAR! How can you decide on penalties, why do you have VAR, try checking. All VAR decisions have never taken sides with Sleman either. Don't know if it's a coincidence, but it happened, that's a fact," said Huistra.

Last week when he lost to PSBS Biak, Huistra also questioned VAR's performance. He questioned the use of VAR in Liga 1 which only places the camera at one point.

He felt PSS was harmed by VAR's performance in the last three matches, against Barito FC, Persis Solo and PSBS Biak. VAR, according to him, actually displays different views from contacts between players debated to the referee.