Persija Jakarta
Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Jakarta (commonly known as Persija Jakarta, literally translates to Indonesian Football Association of Jakarta), is a professional football club based in the Indonesian capital city of Jakarta. Persija Jakarta is one of the most successful football clubs in Indonesia with 2 Indonesian League titles and 9 Perserikatan titles. It has never been in a lower league since a nationwide competition started in 1930, fifteen years before Indonesia became an independent country.[5] Persija is one of the founders of the Indonesian football association PSSI, along with six other clubs. Persija's rivalry with fellow PSSI founder Persib Bandung has gone on for decades, occasionally marred by violence.[6][7]
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Full name | Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Jakarta | |||
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Nickname(s) | Macan Kemayoran (The Kemayoran Tigers) | |||
Short name |
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Founded | 28 November 1928 , as Voetbalbond Boemipoetera (V.B.B.) 30 June 1929 , as Voetbal Indonesische Jacatra (V.I.J.) May 1942 , as Persidja[1] | |||
Ground | Gelora Bung Karno Stadium Jakarta International Stadium | |||
Capacity | 77,193[2] | |||
Owner | PT Persija Jakarta Hebat | |||
President Director[3] | Ambono Janurianto[4] | |||
Coach | Thomas Doll | |||
League | Liga 1 | |||
2021–22 | Liga 1, 8th of 18 | |||
Website | Club website | |||
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Active departments of | ||
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![]() Football |
![]() Football (Women's) |
![]() Football U-20 (Men's) |
![]() Football U-18 (Men's) |
![]() Football U-16 (Men's) |
![]() Esports |
History
Foundation and early years
Persija has roots that predate the current Indonesian state, which declared independence in 1945. Its forerunner, the Voetbalbond Indonesische Jacatra (VIJ), was formed on 28 November 1928 as a football club for indigenous residents of Jakarta when the Dutch were still colonizing the country. The name Jacatra refers to a fort on the northern coast of present-day Jakarta. VIJ, along with six other indigenous clubs, established PSSI on 19 April 1930 and won the first PSSI-authorized competition in 1931.[8][9]
Post-independence
VIJ changed its name to Persija in 1950, five years after the 1945 Indonesian independence. In mid-1951, a club with ethnic Chinese, Dutch and Eurasian players joined the rebranded outfit. As the Indonesian national football team in the 1950s heavily depended on Persija, its line-ups at that time were filled by many ethnic Chinese, Dutch and Eurasian players from the Jakarta club.[10]
Amateur years (1951-1994)
After the 1945 independence, national football competitions in Indonesia centred on region-based associations of amateur clubs that received funding from the state. These associations, including Persija, played against each other in an annual tournament known as Perserikatan, which literally means union. Almost all of these associations were seen as representatives of the main ethnic group in their respective regions, flaming primordial sentiments. Multicultural Persija was the exception. Persija won six national titles in the Perserikatan years. However, its fanbase was small and less passionate compared to ethnic-based supporter groups of Persib Bandung, Persebaya Surabaya, PSM Makassar or PSMS Medan. As the Perserikatan games became popular and televised from the 1980s, the other clubs proved to be more dominant with their stronger band of supporters.
Semi-professional years (1994-2008)
PSSI tried to combine the popular Perserikatan teams with the professional clubs from the Galatama league, which was struggling to attract a healthy-sized audience as the clubs did not attract primordial sentiments, into a league called Liga Indonesia. Persija, with a weak fanbase, continued its poor streak in the early years of Liga Indonesia until former army general Sutiyoso was appointed as governor of Jakarta in 1997 amid nationwide demonstrations that demanded the end of military-backed authoritarianism and the start of democratic elections at all levels.
Recognizing that he must win support to secure another term, Sutiyoso used Persija as an outreach vehicle. In 1997, Sutiyoso rebranded Persija with a different colour. Orange replaced red to stress Persija's tiger symbol while national players were recruited and more professional management was introduced. The governor also wielded his powers to motivate other Jakarta clubs in Liga Indonesia, including the once-successful Pelita Jaya FC, to leave the capital city. To augment the fanbase, the Jakmania supporter group was created in December 1997. The total makeover paid off with Persija winning the 2001 national title, a fanbase developing into the biggest in the country and Sutiyoso securing a second term in 2002. The flip side of this top-down approach is constant taunts from supporters of other clubs calling Persija as "anak papa" (papa's boy), which has become louder since Persija won its next national title in 2018.[11]
Professional years (2008-)
The emergence of the Indonesian Super League in 2008 came amid pressure on Perserikatan teams to stop relying on the state budget and increase professional management. Persija, with the ability to attract supporters, sponsors and quality players, evolved into a well-oiled machine that performed well in different forms of competitions in Indonesia. However, it failed to win a national title in these professional years until 2018 when it championed the 2018 Liga 1. While Jakmania turned the capital city orange after the crowning, supporters of other clubs mocked the victory as engineered so that Persija could finally end its 17-year drought. These naysayers argue that PSSI influenced several decisions during the season that unfairly benefitted Persija, including the goals scored in the 9 December 2018 game that sealed the title.[12]
Controversy aside, Persija is undeniably one of Indonesia's leading clubs with a fanbase that is now considered as the biggest in Asia, according to a December 2020 survey by the Asian Football Confederation. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Persija games could easily gather more than 50,000 people inside the stadium with thousands watching on public screens in neighbourhoods across the sprawling capital. Persija holds the record for highest attendance in a AFC Cup match when it faced with Johor Darul Ta'zim F.C. in 2018.[13]
Stadium

Persija currently plays their home matches at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (GBK) in Central Jakarta along with the Indonesian national football team.
Before settling at the large GBK, the club used smaller stadiums in Jakarta as their home ground. For the 2017 Liga 1 and much of the 2018 Liga 1, Persija had to relocate to nearby Bekasi and use the Patriot Chandrabhaga Stadium or the Wibawa Mukti Stadium when the GBK stadium underwent renovation for the 2018 Asian Games and later used for the main venue of that multi-sports event.[14][15]
Current Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan in 2019 decided to build a new stadium for Persija in North Jakarta, which will be called the Jakarta International Stadium. The new stadium is targeted for completion by 2022.
However, there is also a campaign to rename the stadium after intellectual and national hero, Mohammad Husni Thamrin.[16][17][18][19]
Players
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: The club policy lists the supporters as player number #12.
Naturalized player
Country | Player |
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![]() |
Otávio Dutra |
Coaching staff
Position | Staff |
---|---|
Head Coach | ![]() |
Assistant Coach | Vacant |
Goalkeeper Coach | Vacant |
Fitness Coach | Vacant |
Team Doctor | Vacant |
Physiotherapist | Vacant |
Masseur | Vacant |
Kitman | ![]() ![]() |
Management
Chief Executive Officer | ![]() |
Financial Director | ![]() |
Sporting Director | ![]() |
Marketing Director | ![]() |
Manager | ![]() |
Assistant Manager | ![]() |
Match Organizing Committee | ![]() |
Club Secretary | Vacant |
Media Officer | ![]() |
Ground (capacity and dimensions) | Gelora Bung Karno (76,127 / 105x68 metres) |
Training Ground | NYTC Sawangan |
Kit Colours

Persija Jakarta's traditional colour is red, which is used for their home kit. Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso in 1997 replaced it with orange to make it in line with the tiger symbol during his rebranding drive of the club. After 19 years, Persija in 2016 decided to return to red after a long national title drought. The experiment worked as Persija championed the top-tier league in 2018. Frequently, the colour of their away jersey is white. But sometimes, players wear black in their away matches. Orange has been kept as the color of their third jersey.[22]
Period | Kit Provider[23] |
---|---|
1970s–1990s | Adidas |
1998–2000 | Reebok |
2000–2003 | Nike |
2004–2007 | Specs |
2007–2009 | Diadora |
2009–2017 | League |
2018–2019 | Specs |
2020– | Juara[24] |
Supporters and rivalries
Supporters
Persija Jakarta's supporters are called Jakmania. Founded in 1997 with orange colour as their identity, Jakmania is one of the biggest and loudest football fan groups in Indonesia. Persija's home matches could easily attract over 50,000 spectators before the COVID-19 pandemic that has led to the audience ban. They often travel to away matches, except for games against longtime rivals Persib Bandung and Persebaya Surabaya because of restrictions from the Indonesian Police in order to avoid clashes between supporter groups. A Persija supporter who dared to break the rule and travel to Bandung in September 2018 died after being beaten up by Persib Bandung fans.[25][26]
The Jakmania-created Persija anthem "Satu Jiwa" (One Soul) is always sung after a match.[27]
Rivalries
Persija's top rival is Persib Bandung from the West Java city of Bandung, 180 km away.[28] This derby is known as the oldest Indonesian Derby. The rivalry between the two teams has become violent in the 2000s due to the growth of ultras on each side. Influenced by some media and individuals who want the rivalry to be preserved, many hostile incidents involving the two support group have occurred with seven deaths so far. In 2014, a reconciliation was held by the West Java Police to avoid future clashes, resulting in restrictions against travelling supporters. However, fans continue to break the rule and end up in violent altercations.[29][30]
Persija also has rivalries with other former Perserikatan teams, especially PSM Makassar, Persebaya Surabaya and PSMS Medan.[31] [32][33]
Honours
Persija has won many titles, including from international tournaments, making the club as the most successful in Indonesia. Its last national title comes from the 2018 Liga 1.
Domestic | ||||
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League/Division | Titles | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
Perserikatan | 9 | 4 | 1931 1933, 1934, 1938, 1953-54, 1964, 1971-73, 1973-75, 1978-79 | 1932, 1952, 1975-78, 1987-88 |
Liga Indonesia Premier Division / Liga 1 | 2 | 1 | 2001, 2018 | 2005 |
Domestic | ||||
Cup Competitions | Titles | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
Piala Indonesia | 0 | 2 | 2005, 2018-19 | |
Piala Presiden Soeharto[34] | 0 | 3 | 1972,[35] 1974,[36] 1976[37] | |
Indonesia President's Cup | 1 | 0 | 2018 | |
Menpora Cup | 1 | 0 | 2021 | |
International | ||||
Friendly Tournament | Titles | Runners-up | Seasons won | Seasons runners-up |
Quoc Khanh Cup | 1 | 0 | 1973 | |
Brunei Invitational Cup[38] | 2 | 0 | 2000,[39] 2001[40] | |
Season-by-season records
Past seasons
Season | League/Division | Tms. | Pos. | Piala Indonesia | AFC competition(s) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994–95 | Premier Division | 34 | 13 in West Div. | – | – | – |
1995–96 | Premier Division | 31 | 14 in West Div. | – | – | – |
1996–97 | Premier Division | 33 | 10 in West Div. | – | – | – |
1997–98 | Premier Division | 31 | Did not finish | – | – | – |
1998–99 | Premier Division | 28 | Semifinals | – | – | – |
1999–2000 | Premier Division | 28 | Semifinal | – | – | – |
2001 | Premier Division | 28 | 1 | – | – | – |
2002 | Premier Division | 24 | Second round | – | Asian Club Championship | First round |
2003 | Premier Division | 20 | 7 | – | – | – |
2004 | Premier Division | 18 | 3 | – | – | – |
2005 | Premier Division | 28 | 2 | Runner up | – | – |
2006 | Premier Division | 28 | Second round | Semifinals | – | – |
2007–08 | Premier Division | 36 | Semifinals | 3rd Place | – | – |
2008–09 | Super League | 18 | 7 | Quarter-finals | – | – |
2009–10 | Super League | 18 | 5 | – | – | – |
2010–11 | Super League | 18 | 3 | Quarter-finals | – | – |
2011–12 | Super League | 18 | 5 | – | – | – |
2013 | Super League | 18 | 11 | – | – | – |
2014 | Super League | 22 | 5 in West Div. | – | – | – |
2015 | Super League | 18 | Did not finish | – | – | – |
2016 | Soccer Championship A | 18 | 14 | – | – | – |
2017 | Liga 1 | 18 | 4 | – | – | – |
2018 | Liga 1 | 18 | 1 | Runner up | AFC Cup | Zonal Semi-finals |
2019 | Liga 1 | 18 | 10 | AFC Champions League AFC Cup |
Preliminary round 2 Group stage | |
2020 | Liga 1 | 18 | Did not finish | – | – | – |
2021–22 | Liga 1 | 18 | 8 | – | – | – |
- Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
AFC (Asian competitions)
Continental record
Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001-02 | Asian Club Championship | First round | ![]() |
4–1 | ||
2018 | AFC Cup | Group H | ![]() |
4–0 | 3–0 | 1st |
![]() |
4–1 | 2–4 | ||||
![]() |
1–0 | 0–0 | ||||
Zonal semi-finals | ![]() |
1–3 | 3–2 | 3–6 | ||
2019 | AFC Champions League | Preliminary round 1 | ![]() |
1–3 | ||
Preliminary round 2 | ![]() |
3–1 (a.e.t.) | ||||
AFC Cup | Group G | ![]() |
0–0 | 3–1 | 3rd | |
![]() |
6–1 | 1–3 | ||||
![]() |
2–3 | 1–0 |
AFC club ranking
- As of 2 January 2022.[41]
Current Rank | Country | Team | Points |
---|---|---|---|
66 | ![]() | Gyeongnam FC | 13.82 |
67 | ![]() | Consadole Sapporo | 13.78 |
68 | ![]() | Persija Jakarta | 13.75 |
69 | ![]() | Persipura Jayapura | 13.75 |
70 | ![]() | Melbourne City FC | 13.73 |
Former Coaches
After becoming professional, Persija Jakarta has been trained by a combination of foreign and local coaches. Sofyan Hadi was the first head coach who won a professional national title for Persija Jakarta in 2001 when he was also playing for the team. Brazilian Antonio Claudio also was playing in and coaching the same team, but as a fitness coach. Another Brazilian, Stefano Cugurra, led Persija to the 2018 national title.[42]
Years | Name |
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1999–2000 | ![]() |
2001 | ![]() |
2003 | ![]() |
2004 | ![]() |
2005–2006 | ![]() ![]() |
2006–2007 | ![]() |
2007–2008 | ![]() |
2008–2009 | ![]() |
2009–2010 | ![]() |
2010–2011 | ![]() |
2011–2012 | ![]() |
2013–2014 | ![]() |
2014–2015 | ![]() |
2015–2016 | ![]() |
2016 | ![]() |
2016 | ![]() |
2017–2018 | ![]() |
2019 | ![]() |
2019 | ![]() |
2019 | ![]() |
2020 | ![]() |
2020–2021 | ![]() |
2021–2022 | ![]() |
2022 | ![]() |
2022– | ![]() |
Notable former players
This is the list of several domestic and foreign former notable or famous players of Persija from time to time.
Indonesia
Soetjipto Soentoro
Tan Liong Houw
Sutan Harhara
Rully Nere
Dede Sulaiman
Rahmad Darmawan
Widodo Cahyono Putro
Anang Ma'ruf
Budiman Yunus
Imran Nahumarury
Francis Wawengkang
Hendro Kartiko
Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto
Charis Yulianto
Elie Aiboy
Budi Sudarsono
Aples Gideon Tecuari
Hamka Hamzah
Ortizan Solossa
Atep Rizal
Muhammad Ilham
Aliyudin
Agus Indra Kurniawan
Rochy Putiray
Nur'alim
Anjas Asmara
Anindito Wahyu
Beto Gonçalves
Osas Saha
Adam Alis
Gendut Doni Christiawan
Alexander Pulalo
Muhammad Roby
Leo Saputra
Greg Nwokolo
Addison Alves
Firman Utina
Ponaryo Astaman
Amarzukih
Stefano Lilipaly
Raphael Maitimo
Farri Agri
Bambang Pamungkas
Gunawan Dwi Cahyo
Silvio Escobar
Fitra Ridwan
Valentino Telaubun
Michael Orah
Talaohu Musafri
Leonard Tupamahu
Alfin Tuasalamony
Maman Abdurahman
Dany Saputra
Nol van der Vin
Samosir Tamani
Fahreza Agamal
Defri Rizky
Fariz Nur Hisyam
Mulky Alifa Hakim
Marc Klok
Evan Dimas
Novri Setiawan
Ichsan Kurniawan
Ahmad Bustomi
Adixi Lenzivio
Salman Alfarid
Iman Faturohman
Ikhwan Ciptady
Yoewanto Setya Beny
Hadi Ardiansyah
Shahar Ginanjar
Asia
Africa
Roger Batoum
Abanda Herman
Emaleu Serge
Louis Berty Ayock
Olinga Atangana
Pierre Njanka
Eric Bayemi
Emmanuel Kenmogne
Mbeng Jean Mambalou
Boakay Eddie Foday
Olivier Makor
Frank Jean Seator
Chinedum Antoni
Sam Ayorinde
Vata Matanu Garcia
Alex Brown
Europe
America
Antonio Claudio
Lorenzo Cabanas
Ronald Fagundez
Emanuel De Porras
Gustavo Hernan Ortiz
Robertino Pugliara
Luciano Leandro
Javier Rocha
Gustavo Chena
Pedro Velázquez
Fabiano Beltrame
Renan Silva
Willian Pacheco
Jaimerson Xavier
Bruno da Silva Lopes
Luiz Júnior
Ivan Carlos
Rodrigo Tosi
Bruno Oliveira de Matos
Xandão
Adolfo Fatecha
Diego Caneza
Yann Motta
Further reading
References
- "Ketahui Sejarah Persija, Sebelum Nonton Pertandingannya di Liga 1". www.loket.com. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
- "E-Booking Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno". gbk.id. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
- Sulistiyo presiden-direktur-chief-executive-officer "BOARD OF DIRECTORS: AGUS SULISTIYO PRESIDENT DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER". bakrieland.com. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
{{cite web}}
: Check|url=
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- "Perserikatan era under PSSI". rsssf.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- "History of PSSI". pssi.or.id. Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- "7 Suporter Tewas di Balik Laga Persib Vs Persija, Bobotoh dan JakMania Harus Belajar Halaman all". 25 September 2018.
- "Tentang Persija".
- "Mengurai sejarah Persija Jakarta". juara.bolasport.com. Retrieved 13 October 2017.
- "Tentang Persija".
- "Epos Persija Jakarta: Sutiyoso Bapak Evolusi Macan Kemayoran".
- "2 Gol Penentu Persija Juara Dinilai Kontroversial". 17 December 2018.
- "The search for Asia's Most Popular Football Club: Persija Jakarta, Johor Darul Ta'zim advance to final | Football | News |".
- Liputan6.com. "Persija Berbagi Kandang dengan Bhayangkara FC". liputan6.com. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- "Nah! Sudah Deal, Ini Kandang Persiwa untuk Musim 2017". jpnn.com. 12 January 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- "Pemprov DKI Bisa Bangun Stadion Kelas Dunia untuk Persija" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 6 December 2014.
- "Pembangunan Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) Lebih Cepat dari Jadwal" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 19 December 2019.
- "Nama M.H. Thamrin Diusulkan Menjadi Nama Stadion" (in Indonesian). 3 September 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
- "Anies Serius Bangun Jakarta International Stadium, Desainnya Mulai Terungkap".
- "Squad Persija Jakarta Liga 1 2021-2022". ligaindonesiabaru.com. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
- Daftar pemain tim Persija Jakarta. persija.id
- "Persija is Red". olahraga.kompasiana.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
- "Jersey Persija". Ismeders14. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- "Tanggalkan Specs, Persija Berganti Jersey ke Juara". m.detik.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "Ini Daftar Suporter Persib dan Persija yang Tewas sejak 2012". 23 September 2018.
- "Sejarah Terbentuknya Jak Mania". Ultras in Indonesia. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
- Wara, Jalad (17 September 2018). "Lirik Anthem Persija Jakarta: Persija Menyatukan Kita Semua". KAMPIUN.ID. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
- "P.S.S.I. (inlandsche) Stedenwedstrijden 1930-1950". Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- "Suporter Persib-Persija Berikrar Damai, Polisi Akan Terus Evaluasi". Retrieved 13 October 2014.
- "Ini Daftar Suporter Persib dan Persija yang Tewas sejak 2012". 23 September 2018.
- "Bersaing Sejak Era Perserikatan, Laga PSM versus Persija Ibarat El Clasico". Tribun Timur (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- Bola.com (28 August 2019). "3 Duel Penting Persija Vs PSM: Rivalitas Tak Berujung Eks Juara Perserikatan". bola.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- Independent, Jambi. "Rekor Pertemuan PSMS vs Persija: Sejarah Panas Sejak Era Perserikatan". JAMBIINDEPENDENT.COM. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
- "Piala Presiden Soeharto". www.rsssf.com.
- "Piala Presiden Soeharto". www.rsssf.com.
- "Piala Presiden Soeharto". www.rsssf.com.
- "Piala Presiden Soeharto". www.rsssf.com.
- "Brunei Invitational Cup". www.rsssf.com.
- "Toyota League Champions Invitational Cup (Brunei) 2000". www.rsssf.com.
- "Brunei Invitational Cup (Brunei) 2001". www.rsssf.com.
- "AFC Club Ranking". Retrieved 5 January 2022.
- "Sofyan Hadi" (in Indonesian). Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- "Liga Indonesia: Persija vs Persib". Perpusnas.go.id.