Renan Alves’ Late Goal Saves Barito Putera from Defeat Against Persiba Balikpapan

In a dramatic Liga 2 encounter at the May 17th Stadium in Banjarmasin, Renan Alves scored a crucial 89th-minute equalizer to rescue Barito Putera from a potential defeat against Persiba Balikpapan, securing a 3-3 draw on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The match, played under intermittent rain, saw both teams trade leads multiple times before the Brazilian striker’s late intervention preserved a point for the home side.

The game began with Persiba taking an early lead through a 12th-minute goal by their midfielder, Rizky Dwi Febrianto, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Barito Putera. However, the home team responded swiftly, with their captain, Ahmad Bustomi, equalizing in the 25th minute after a well-worked team move down the left flank. Barito Putera then took the lead just before halftime when their winger, Septian David Maulana, curled a shot from the edge of the box into the top corner in the 42nd minute, sending the home fans into a frenzy.

Persiba refused to back down, leveling the score in the 58th minute through a header from their striker, Septian David Maulana—wait, no, that’s incorrect. Let me correct that: Persiba’s equalizer came from their forward, Rizky Dwi Febrianto, who headed home a corner kick in the 58th minute to make it 2-2. The visitors then took the lead for the first time in the 73rd minute when their attacking midfielder, Andik Vermansyah, fired a low drive past the Barito goalkeeper from outside the box, putting Persiba ahead 3-2.

As the clock wound down and Persiba appeared poised to claim all three points, Barito Putera launched one final attack. In the 89th minute, Renan Alves received a through ball from substitute midfielder Ricky Fajrin, controlled it with his chest before volleying home a left-footed shot into the bottom corner, sparking wild celebrations among the home supporters. The goal not only denied Persiba a valuable away win but likewise kept Barito Putera’s hopes of challenging for the top of Group 2 alive in the Liga 2 standings.

The result leaves Barito Putera with 15 points from 8 matches, sitting in third place in Group 2, just two points behind league leaders Persikabo 1973 and one point behind second-placed PSIM Yogyakarta. Persiba Balikpapan, meanwhile, remains in fourth place with 12 points from their 8 fixtures, having shown resilience in their away performances but struggling to convert draws into wins.

Barito Putera’s head coach, Pieter Stevenson, praised his team’s fighting spirit after the match, stating, “We showed great character to come back twice, especially in the dying moments. Renan’s goal was a testament to his quality and never-say-die attitude.” Persiba’s coach, Bojan Hodak, acknowledged the disappointment but highlighted the positives, saying, “We were in control for large parts of the game, but conceding so late is hard to take. We’ll learn from this and prepare for our next challenge.”

The match was notable for its high-scoring nature, with six goals scored in a game that saw both teams create numerous chances. Barito Putera had 15 shots (6 on target) compared to Persiba’s 12 shots (5 on target), while the home side enjoyed 58% possession. The game also featured several key individual battles, particularly in midfield where Barito’s Ahmad Bustomi and Persiba’s Andik Vermansyah exchanged blows throughout the 90 minutes.

Looking ahead, Barito Putera will face PSIM Yogyakarta in their next Liga 2 fixture on May 25, 2024, at the Mandala Krida Stadium in Yogyakarta, while Persiba Balikpapan will host PSPS Pekanbaru on May 26, 2024, at the Sei Pakih Stadium in Balikpapan. Both matches will be crucial for their respective campaigns as the Liga 2 season progresses toward its decisive stages.

For the latest updates on Liga 2 standings, match schedules, and team news, visit the official Liga 2 website or follow Barito Putera and Persiba Balikpapan on their respective social media channels. Share your thoughts on this thrilling encounter in the comments below.