Persija Awaits Borneo and Persib, Shin Tae-yong Undaunted
Persija Jakarta will face Borneo FC and Persib Bandung in their first two matches of the 2026/27 Super League. This tough schedule does not intimidate head coach Shin Tae-yong (STY).
Persija is scheduled to kick off their 2026/27 Super League campaign away at Borneo FC’s headquarters on September 5. This match will not be easy, as the opposition finished as last season’s runners-up.
Meanwhile, a week later, Persija is set to host Persib at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK). This high-stakes match carries immense prestige, often dubbed Indonesia’s El Clásico.
STY will undoubtedly face immense pressure if Persija fails to secure positive results in these opening fixtures. It is not impossible that his position could come under threat should the Macan Kemayoran fail to pick up a win.
However, STY remains unfazed by the pressure. He is confident in his ability to lead Persija to maximum points against both Borneo and Persib.
“Persib Bandung and Borneo FC finished first and second last season, so both are very strong teams,” STY said.
“That is why I am convinced we must give our absolute best in every match, from the first game, the second, and onwards.”
STY’s optimism is not unfounded. Persija’s preparations for the new season have been exceptionally thorough following a Training Camp (TC) in Thailand, where they secured victories in two friendly matches.
Prior to the Thailand TC, Persija tested their strength in the 2026 President’s Cup. Despite minimal preparation, they managed to finish in third place.
Most recently, Persija convincingly defeated Brisbane Roar 4-0 in their final pre-season friendly at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) on Saturday (29/8). This serves as a strong signal that Rizky Ridho and his teammates are ready to compete for the 2026/27 Super League title.
