Match Report
On the table this was a mismatch: Persiba Balikpapan (12th, 25 pts) held a 16-point advantage over Persiba Bantul (21st, 9 pts). On the form table Persiba Balikpapan stood 7th over the last five rounds, despite being 12th overall. Against a league average of 1.36 goals per team per game, Persiba Bantul ran at 0.85 scored and 2.65 conceded, Persiba Balikpapan at 1.05 and 1.4.
Defeat had followed defeat for Persiba Bantul — eight in succession. The last-five ledger: Persiba Bantul 0/15, Persiba Balikpapan 7/15.
Stadion Tegar Beriman in Bogor, capacity 15,000, hosted the game. Half-time and full-time told different stories: Persiba Balikpapan led 2-1 at the break, before 2 more goals closed it at 3-2.