Persija Jakarta Stalls at JIS, Mauricio Souza Cites “Unnatural” Pitch Conditions
Jakarta, Indonesia – Persija Jakarta’s recent struggles at the Jakarta International Stadium (JIS) continued on Sunday, March 15, 2026, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dewa United in a Super League match. The result leaves Persija trailing league leaders Persib Bandung and Borneo FC, and head coach Mauricio Souza has publicly questioned the quality of the playing surface at their home ground, suggesting it’s hindering their ability to perform to their potential. The draw underscores a concerning trend for Macan Kemayoran at JIS, where consistent victories have proven elusive.
Match Recap: Dewa United Holds Persija to a Draw
Emaxwell Souza place Persija ahead late in the first half, giving the home crowd reason for optimism. However, Alexis Messidoro leveled the score for Dewa United just ten minutes into the second half, ultimately securing a share of the points. The match finished 1-1, a frustrating outcome for Persija who were hoping to close the gap on the top two teams in the league.
The result is particularly stinging considering Borneo FC and Persib Bandung also played to a 1-1 draw on the same day at Stadion Segiri, Samarinda. This means the top three positions in the Super League remain unchanged: Persib Bandung leads with 58 points, followed by Borneo FC with 54, and Persija Jakarta with 52. A win for Persija would have allowed them to draw level on points with Borneo and significantly reduce the deficit to league-leading Persib.
Souza: Pitch Conditions “Not Natural”
Following the match, Mauricio Souza was unequivocal in his assessment of the pitch at JIS. “The players know this and they are aware of it,” Souza said after the game. “But the poor condition of the pitch will not support the game we are trying to play.” He went on to describe the surface as “very unnatural” for a match of this magnitude, stating that it prevented his team from executing their preferred style of play – a quick, passing-based approach.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Persija has now played six matches at JIS, securing only two wins and four draws. Their victories came against Persita Tangerang (4-0) and PSM Makassar (2-1). The other four matches have all ended in draws against Malut United, Bali United, Borneo FC, and now Dewa United. From a possible 18 points, Persija has managed to collect just 10 at their home stadium.
Souza emphasized that the issue isn’t a matter of effort or responsibility from his players. “We are responsible for all of this, so don’t suppose we don’t feel the pain,” he stated. “On this pitch, we failed to win against Bali United, but we won at Bali United’s stadium. We failed to win against Malut United here (JIS), but we won at Malut United’s stadium. The same happened against Dewa United.”
Persija Jakarta’s Results at JIS
- Persija 4-0 Persita Tangerang
- Persija 1-1 Malut United
- Persija 1-1 Bali United
- Persija 2-1 PSM Makassar
- Persija 2-2 Borneo FC
- Persija 1-1 Dewa United
The repeated struggles at home raise questions about the suitability of the JIS pitch for professional football. While the stadium is a modern facility, the playing surface has consistently been a point of contention for both Persija and visiting teams. The issue isn’t simply about losing points; it’s about the inability to consistently showcase the team’s tactical capabilities and potentially impacting player performance and risk of injury.
Souza’s comments are a clear indication of his frustration, but also a plea for improvement. The coach believes his team is consistently performing at a higher level than their opponents, but the challenging pitch conditions are preventing them from translating that superiority into consistent victories. He maintained that Persija is always the better team on the pitch, regardless of the opponent.
The situation at JIS highlights a broader issue within Indonesian football – the need for consistent investment in pitch maintenance and infrastructure. A quality playing surface is fundamental to the development of the game and the ability of teams to compete at the highest level.
Looking ahead, Persija will need to address these concerns if they hope to mount a serious challenge for the Super League title. Their next match is yet to be confirmed, but the team will undoubtedly be looking to return to winning ways and put the frustrations of the JIS draw behind them. The team will be hoping for improvements to the pitch conditions before their next home fixture, as they aim to capitalize on their potential and climb the league standings.
(mro/krs)
