YOGYAKARTA - Group 1 champion Garudayaksa FC carries a high spirit even though they face PSS Sleman playing at home in the Grand Final for the Championship title. PSS, who became the Group 2 champion, acted as the host because they had a higher points than Garudayaksa FC so that the match was held at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Saturday, May 9, 2026 WIB.
Garudayaksa and PSS successfully locked one place in the 2026-2027 Super League. Garudayaksa's team for the first time managed to be promoted to the highest class. Meanwhile, PSS last season was relegated to the Championship. However, they are determined to only be there for one season.
PSS also broke the unofficial stigma that only one DIY team can play in the highest class. The stigma is getting stronger when PSS is relegated and the club from the city of Yogyakarta, namely PSIM, managed to promote to the Super League.
However, PSS managed to return to the highest league with PSIM if they were able to survive in the Super League. The team coached by Ansyari Lubis will play one Grand Final match against Garudayaksa FC who made a surprise by successfully rising to the ranks.
Interestingly, this is not the first meeting between the two teams this season. Although different groups, Garudayaksa FC had tried PSS's strength during the competition break in December last year. At that time, Garudayaksa FC lost 0-1 to PSS in front of thousands of spectators who attended Maguwoharjo. PSS's goal was scored by Frederick Injay from the penalty spot in injury time.
Interestingly, this trial match also got the label of a final rehearsal for the Championship competition, considering that at that time both teams were in first place in Group 1 and Group 2. Garudayaksa FC COO, Derry Hidayat explained that at that time his team was undergoing a TC program in Yogyakarta including getting the opportunity to try out with PSS.
"This is indeed a bit unique. We have tried it when we had a TC in Yogyakarta. Even though it was a trial match, many people said it was a rehearsal for the final of this season. And it really happened in the Championship final," said Derry.
Derry further said that the match against PSS gave him a special impression. This man from Palembang felt a different atmosphere when he escorted The Spirit of Garuda at Maguwoharjo.
"Even though it was only a trial match, thousands of fans still attended. And it was also an honor when we were invited to the middle of the field to listen to the PSS anthem after the match," said Derry.
Regarding tomorrow's grand final match, the man who also serves as the team manager said that Garudayaksa FC will still perform optimally to aim for the championship title this season.
"Even though we have qualified for the Super League, we are still focused on this grand final match. I trust the coaching team to concoct the best strategy in the final and of course to become champions," he said.
"The results in the previous trial match are our evaluation material. I believe the players will also give their best to win the match later," said Derry.
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