PSIM Yogyakarta Returns To The Top Board After Defeating Bhayangkara FC

YOGYAKARTA - PSIM Yogyakarta must work hard before overcoming the Bhayangkara FC 1-0 resistance in the 2025/2026 Super League match. The victory in the duel at the Sultan Agung Stadium, Bantul, Saturday, November 22, 2025 made PSIM return to the top.

PSIM shows the most consistent promotion team in the highest caste competition. The team based in Yogyakarta City is also getting closer to three points when playing at home.

At the start of the competition, PSIM, which was forced to borrow SSA, Bantul, to host its opponents in the Super League, often struggled to get full points.

Moreover, they already have to meet tough opponents who are usually poor in the highest caste such as Arema FC and defending champion Persib Bandung. Even at home, PSIM was beaten by Borneo FC Samarinda 3-1.

On the other hand, Laskar Mataram often gets points in away matches. This is what makes PSIM able to penetrate the top. The real position is beyond expectations because the team has the status of a promotional team.

After playing the Mataram derby against Persis Solo which ended in a 2-2 draw before the competition break, PSIM remained on the winning path when they hosted Bhayangkara FC. In that match, the only goal for the host was scored by Rakhmatsho Rakhmatzoda in the 38th minute.

The victory brought PSIM up to fourth place with 22. 11 points adrift with Borneo FC perched at the top of the standings.

Meanwhile, Bhayangkara FC is stuck in the middle board. They were ranked seventh after pocketing the 18th point, the same as Persita Tangerang, but Bhayangkara FC lost the goal difference.

In that match, PSM had to work hard against Bhayangkara FC which was a repeat of the 2024/2025 Liga 2 final. However, Jean-Paul van Gastel's team was able to dominate the game. They immediately pressed the opponent's defense.

After many failures, PSIM finally broke the deadlock through Rakhmatsho who greeted Fahreza Sudin's assist pass. This became the only goal created in the match.

"We were 1-0 up, but in the second half the opponents played better. They were able to press and were a little more dangerous than in the first half. On the other hand, I think their game in the first half was completely harmless," said Van Gastel.

According to the Dutch coach, the team should have scored more goals. The reason is, they created many chances but nothing can be converted into goals.

"We should be able to create more chances than we did. In addition, the opponent played very well in attack. This makes us have to work hard in defense," he said.