Dewa United's Formula for Ending Persib's Unbeaten Streak in Liga 1

Dewa United handed Persib Bandung their first defeat of the season in Liga 1 during the 19th week of the 2024-2025 campaign. The match concluded with a 2-0 victory for Dewa United on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) Stadium. The winning goals came from Alex Martins in the 30th minute and Septian Bagaskara in the 90+3 minute. Coach Jan Olde Riekerink shared the secrets behind Dewa United's success in breaking Persib's unbeaten run, which had lasted 18 matches.
Riekerink emphasized that the victory was a result of building a solid foundation.

The recent positive outcomes for Dewa United stem from the processes the team has undergone over the past few seasons, and the results are finally manifesting. "The biggest credit goes to the players. Every day, we focus on training, maintaining high intensity, and engaging in possession games. We learn from each match," Riekerink explained. "It's like constructing a house; before you start building, you must consider the fundamentals and foundation. We ensure that we can coordinate effectively and remain open to learning."

Securing a victory against the defending champions is a significant achievement for Dewa United this season. Their commitment to positive football, ball possession, and determination disrupted the tactical approach of Persib's coach, Bojan Hodak, preventing his team from effectively transitioning during play. Dewa United's solid midfield and defense dismantled Persib's offensive strategies, making it difficult for them to establish their game.

"We were able to implement our training effectively during the match. The players' hard work every day contributed to achieving our goals," Riekerink noted. "In the first half, the players executed the game plan admirably, which is the highest compliment I can give them," added the Dutch coach. This victory propelled Dewa United to fourth place in the standings, now sitting at 31 points, nine points ahead of the leaders, Persib, whom they just defeated.