Liga 1: Persija Jakarta Kudeta Persib Bandung Again, Persebaya Surabaya Approaching The Big 4

Persija Jakarta kembali ke puncak klasemen sementara Liga 1. (Foto: Twitter/@Liga1Match)

JAKARTA - Persija Jakarta has again won the top position in the 2022/2023 Liga 1 standings from Persib Bandung. That was thanks to the victory over RANS Nusantara FC in the 22nd match.

Persija won 3-1 over RANS when the two teams met at Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium, Bekasi, Friday, January 3.

This three-point addition led the "Macan Kemayoran" squad to a two-point lead over Persib, who is now in second place with 40 points. However, Persib can shift Persija again if they win in the match versus PSS, Sunday, January 5, in Bandung.

Klasemen sementara pekan 22 kompetisi BRI Liga 1-2022/2023. (3/2)#bangkitbersama #BRILiga1 #LigaIndonesia #KitaSatu #footballfamilies pic.twitter.com/Q83lea9l6P

— BRI Liga 1 (@Liga1Match) February 3, 2023

Persija took the lead when the RANS Nusantara FC player, Muhammad Hamdan Zamzani, had to violate Aji in the 26th minute. The referee also gave a penalty kick for Persija who was executed perfectly by Abdulla Yusuf one minute later.

The opening score made Persija even more excited so that it was able to increase the advantage to 2-0 thanks to Ilham Rio's goal in the 37th minute which took advantage of Riko Simanjuntak's "assist".

RANS Nusantara FC, handled by new tactician Rodrigo Santana, reduced the position in the final minutes of the first half through a free-kick by Japanese midfielder Mitsuru Maruoka. Persija lead 2-1 before halftime.

After the break, Persija coach Thomas Doll included Michael Krmencik and Osvaldo Haay from the bench to refresh the front lines.

Persija also consistently pressed and finally increased their coffers in the 72nd minute, again through the spot. However, this time Ondrej Kudela was the kicker.

The penalty was given by referee Wawan Rafiko because the new foreign player RANS Nusantara Mbom Lokwa touched the ball with his hand in the forbidden box.

After that, no other goals were created. Persija won 3-1 over RANS Nusantara and was entitled to take home three points.

In another match, Persebaya Surabaya continued their winning trend. This time Borneo FC became a victim.

After trailing 0-1 through Matheus Pato's goal in the 57th minute, Persebaya turned superior through the actions of Sho Yamamoto and Altariq Ballah until the 81st minute.

In the 84th minute, Agung Prasetyo made the position 2-2. However, Ahmad Nufiandani made Bajol Ijo collect three points through his goal in the 90+3 minute.

This victory made Persebaya further shorten the distance from the top four. Aji Santoso's team is now collecting 34 points, only three points adrift of Madura United who are in fourth position.