The Indonesian football scene has been buzzing with excitement and surprises as the 2025/2026 season unfolds, delivering headline-grabbing matches, dramatic player transfers, and the arrival of naturalized stars in the domestic league. From the Super League’s thrilling clashes to major moves in the European transfer market, there’s no shortage of stories capturing the attention of fans across the archipelago and beyond.
Saturday night in Ternate saw PSIM Yogyakarta continue their impressive run against Malut United, emerging victorious with a 2-0 win at Stadion Gelora Kie Raha. The match, part of the Super League’s fourth week, was a tale of two halves. While Malut United started aggressively and carved out 11 opportunities—five of which were on target—they simply couldn’t find the back of the net. PSIM, on the other hand, made the most of their chances, converting two of their ten shots in quick succession during the second half.
Nermin Haljeta broke the deadlock in the 69th minute, sparking celebrations among the traveling supporters. Just four minutes later, Domenica Sheva Maresca doubled the lead, effectively sealing the result. This victory not only extended PSIM’s unbeaten streak against Malut United to three matches but also marked Malut United’s first defeat in their last three Super League outings. The win keeps PSIM firmly in the league’s upper echelons, while Malut United now sits sixth in the standings with five points, just one behind Persebaya in fifth.
PSIM’s head coach, Jean-Paul van Gastel, was candid in his post-match assessment, acknowledging the difficulties his side faced in the opening 45 minutes. "In the first half, we struggled to get our game going," he admitted. "But in the second half, we were more dominant and managed to score two goals. I’m happy because ball possession is very important—especially coming from the Netherlands, where I always emphasize that." Van Gastel credited his players’ ability to capitalize on set-piece situations, noting, "Malut United also created some dangerous chances, but the key was our players winning set-piece duels and turning them into goals." He concluded, "The players have worked hard according to the team’s standards, and this result is well deserved. We’re very happy to take three points from Ternate."
On the other side, Malut United’s Septian David Maulana struck a note of resilience despite the setback. "This loss isn’t the end of everything. There are many matches ahead. We’ll use the league break to evaluate and come back stronger. We’re doing our best for the people of North Maluku and Maluku," he said at the post-match press conference. Head coach Hendri Susilo echoed the sentiment, expressing disappointment but maintaining optimism for the future. "Tonight, the players performed below their best. We missed a lot of chances, while PSIM took theirs. That’s an issue we’ll address," said the 59-year-old coach. "We’re disappointed with the result, but it’s a long season. I believe Malut United will return to top form in the next match."
Malut United’s next test comes on September 12, when they travel to face Persik Kediri at Stadion Brawijaya. The team will be eager to bounce back, knowing that a win could propel them back up the standings and restore confidence among their supporters.
Meanwhile, the BRI Super League has been shaken up by the arrival of three naturalized Indonesian national team players: Jordi Amat, Rafael Struick, and Thom Haye. Their entry into the domestic competition has sparked debate and excitement in equal measure. Jordi Amat has joined Persija Jakarta, Rafael Struick has signed with Dewa United, and Thom Haye has been unveiled by Persib Bandung. These moves have not only added star power to the league but have also raised questions about the motivations behind their transfers and the overall competitiveness of Indonesian football.
National football analyst Kesit Budi Handoyo weighed in on the development, suggesting that the main reason behind these players’ decisions is the opportunity for more consistent playing time. "It’s just fine that they’re playing in Indonesia. At least Indonesian fans will get to see these players, Thom Haye and Rafael Struick, play regularly in the BRI Super League. We’ll be able to see their true abilities firsthand," Kesit told Bola.com on Sunday, August 31, 2025.
Delving into their recent careers, Kesit pointed out that Rafael Struick featured in only 10 matches last season for Brisbane Roar in Australia, while Thom Haye played 29 times for Almere City. Age and the fierce competition in Europe may have influenced their decisions. "If they play in Indonesia, maybe it’s because their performance in Europe is no longer enough to compete at the highest level. Even if European clubs wanted them, there’s no guarantee they’d play regularly. That lack of playing time is a big factor. In Indonesia, the chance to play regularly is wide open, so their abilities will be maintained," he explained.
However, Kesit cautioned both players to maintain discipline and work ethic, noting that the Indonesian league, while improving, still lags behind Europe in terms of competitiveness. "They need to realize that our league isn’t as strong as Europe’s. Even playing in Europe’s second tier is different from Indonesia’s top flight. Europe is still more competitive. Hopefully, their performance improves here and doesn’t drop because the competition isn’t as tough," Kesit added.
Elsewhere in the football world, transfer drama unfolded in England as Alejandro Garnacho, the talented 21-year-old Argentine winger, officially left Manchester United for Chelsea FC on August 31, 2025. This move concluded a protracted saga that had seen Garnacho express his desire to leave Old Trafford, reportedly due to a deteriorating relationship with manager Ruben Amorim at the end of last season. While Bayern Muenchen and several Saudi Arabian clubs expressed interest, Garnacho made it clear to Manchester United management that Chelsea was his only preferred destination. Negotiations between the Premier League rivals followed, ultimately resulting in Garnacho’s transfer to Stamford Bridge.
The transfer marks a significant shift for both clubs, with Chelsea adding a dynamic young winger to their ranks and Manchester United losing a promising talent. The move has already sparked discussion among fans and pundits alike, with many eager to see how Garnacho adapts to his new surroundings and what impact he’ll have in the blue of Chelsea.
As the new football season continues to unfold, Indonesian fans are treated to a league that’s becoming more competitive and international than ever before. With naturalized stars raising the bar, local talents stepping up, and global transfer sagas making headlines, there’s plenty for supporters to look forward to—both on and off the pitch.
The next few weeks promise more action, drama, and surprises as teams battle for supremacy and new faces look to make their mark. Whether it’s PSIM’s disciplined displays, Malut United’s quest for redemption, or the star power injected by returning internationals, Indonesian football is firmly in the spotlight and showing no signs of slowing down.
