Persiraja Banda Aceh

Persiraja Banda Aceh

Full name	Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Kutaraja
Nickname(s)	Laskar Rencong [1] (Rencong Warriors) Harimau Banda [2] (The Banda Tigers)
Short name	PRJ PRJA
Founded	28 July 1957;66 years ago (1957-07-28)
Ground	Harapan Bangsa Stadium H. Dimurthala Stadium
Capacity	45,000 7,000
Owner	PT Persiraja Lantak Laju [3]
President	Nazaruddin Dek Gam [4] [5]
Head coach	Achmad Zulkifli
League	Liga 2
2023–24	4th
Website	Club website
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Active departments of Persiraja
Football	Football (Women's)	Football U-20 (Men's)
Football U-18 (Men's)	Football U-16 (Men's)

Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Kutaraja, commonly known as Persiraja, is an Indonesian professional football club based in Banda Aceh, Aceh. They currently compete in the Liga 2. They play their home matches either at Harapan Bangsa Stadium or H. Dimurthala Stadium. Their most memorable achievements is when they became champion of Perserikatan in 1980.

History

Persiraja Banda Aceh was founded as a semi-professional team on 28 July 1957, initiated by PSSI. The name change from previous Persib Banda to its current name is unknown to the public. In the early formation of this team, the team's headquarters are located at Blang Padang Field, before being moved to the H. Dimurthala Stadium in Lampineung. At the beginning, since its inception, there's nothing special from this team. The club is still under the shadow of PSMS Medan who previously was one of the strongest teams in Indonesia. In the effort for finding the talented players, the team is making a "Bonden" or another term for the academy. During the period between 1957 until 1974, there was no great achievement to be proud of. Until finally in 1975, Persiraja successfully overcome the shadows of PSMS Medan. In the 1974–75 season of PSSI National Championship western region, Persiraja successfully become champion by beating strongest teams from Sumatra. At that time, Persiraja successfully topped the final standings with 11 points and goal difference 31–10 (21). Thus, Persiraja were advance to the national round of 1975–1978 PSSI National Championship with PSMS, PSL, and PS Bangka. At the beginning of its participation, Persiraja broke through until reached the top 8. Persiraja also began to be known by everyone in the country. In the following season, Persiraja managed to increase their ranking to top 5. Persiraja could have been relegated in 1979, but PSSI did prevented it by adding a team so there were total of six teams. Finally, in 1980, Persiraja successfully become a national champion by beating Persipura Jayapura 3–1 in the final game held in Gelora Senayan Stadium (former name of Gelora Bung Karno Stadium). In the end, Persiraja have to wait for 23 years since 1957 to win the title in the national football arena.

Rivalries

Persiraja used to have a rivalry with fellow Aceh club, PSAP Sigli. This derby is usually called as the "Classic Aceh Derby". Their matches were always in hot atmosphere. ^{[6] [7]} One most tragic incident occurred in 2014, when PSAP Sigli goalkeeper, Agus Rahman, made a harsh tackle on Persiraja striker, Akli Fairuz. Akli suffered bladder leakage and, a few days after the match, died from his internal injuries due to that tackle. ^[8] He received a year suspension given by PSSI. ^[9] Nowadays, since Persiraja and PSAP Sigli are no longer in the same league level, the rivalry has been coolen down. In addition, Persiraja also have a rivalry with another Aceh club, PSBL Langsa. ^{[10] [11]}

Supporters

Most of spectators in Persiraja games are not affiliated with any supporter community and go to stadium just to enjoy the game. However, Persiraja have relatively small numbers of fanatic supporter community named SKULL, ^{[12] [13]} which was established in 2007. ^[14] The name is an abbreviation of Suporter Kutaraja Untuk Lantak Laju ^[15] (en: Banda Aceh Supporter for the Keep Fighting). They used to have rivalry and conflict with The LAN, ^[16] which is the supporter community of other Aceh club, PSAP Sigli. However the two supporter communities ended the conflict in 2014. ^[17]

Ownership

Like most Perserikatan clubs, Persiraja had been funded by the local municipality. However, according to new ordinance by Indonesian Minister of Internal Affair in 2017, the local municipalities are no longer allowed to give any fund support to Indonesian professional clubs, ^[18] which means for all clubs in Liga 1 and Liga 2, including Persiraja. Therefore, in March 2017, the management of Persiraja established a private company. ^[19] Nazaruddin, a local businessman, bought most shares, forming PT Persiraja Lantak Laju, and became the club's president. ^[20]

On 22 August 2022, Nazzarudin Dek GAM has resigned from his position as president club and his position was given to Zulfikar Syahabuddin who is one of the local businessmen who is active in religious activities such as congregational dawn safaris and as a lecturer. ^[21]

Players

Current squad

As of 12 November 2023 ^{[22] [23] [24] [25]}

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK   IDN Herlian Arif Laksono 3 DF   IDN Amirul Fajar 4 DF   IDN Amiril Mukminin 6 DF   IDN Muhammad Revan 8 MF   IDN Khairil Anwar 9 FW   IDN Muhammad Arjun 10 MF   UZB Islom Karimov 11 FW   IDN Reza Rizki 12 FW   IDN Ferdinand Sinaga (on loan from Persebaya Surabaya) 14 FW   IDN Al Muzanni 15 DF   IDN Zikri Ferdiansyah 16 MF   IDN Muammar Khadafi 17 DF   IDN Agus Suhendra 18 MF   IDN Sulkifli Rahim 19 MF   IDN Ridha Umami 20 MF   IDN Afzal Harwalis

No. Pos. Nation Player 21 FW   IDN Syahrul Akbar 22 DF   IDN Yasvani Yusri 23 DF   IDN Arif Setiawan (on loan from Persita Tangerang) 25 MF   IDN Rizky Yusuf Nasution 27 MF   IDN Fernandez 29 FW   MLI Mahamane Touré 31 GK   IDN Muhammad Reza 32 DF   IDN Nurhidayat Haji Haris 35 MF   IDN Muharrir 42 MF   IDN David Laly 70 MF   IDN Andik Vermansah 71 GK   IDN Muhammad Fahri 77 MF   IDN Defri Rizki 78 MF   IDN Mukhlis Nakata (captain) 90 FW   IDN Ramadhan 97 MF   IDN Adam Maulana

Club officials

Position	Name
President Club	Nazaruddin Dek Gam
Manager	Ridha Mafdhul
Head coach	Achmad Zulkifli
Assistant coach	Effendi
Team doctor	Ahmad Afdhal
Physiotherapist	Armuliadin
Masseur 1	Sisgiardi
Masseur 2	Wahyu AW
COO	Iswahyudi
Technical analyst	Mukhlis

Stadiums

Main articles: H. Dimurthala Stadium and Harapan Bangsa Stadium

Persiraja Banda Aceh's main home stadium is H. Dimurthala Stadium, located in Lampineung village, Kuta Alam sub-district, Banda Aceh. The stadium is considered as the "Stadium of the most Sacred", because every other team that played in Banda Aceh, never draw against Persiraja, let alone defeat it. Before deciding to move to the old stadium in the second round of competition Indonesian Premier League, the team spent some period playing at the Harapan Bangsa Stadium, located in Lhong Raya, Banda Raya, Banda Aceh. The result was not disappointing, three wins and four draws. But, after they switched back their homeground to H. Dimurthala Stadium, the result was incredible. Of the five games that were held in H. Dimurthala Stadium, all games were won by Persiraja with perfect or 100% without loss though. Ever since, Persiraja use only H. Dimurthala Stadium for their home game's venue.

In 2017 and 2018 seasons, Persiraja statistics in this stadium were very impressive, having won 17 out of total 20 games without losing any single games, scoring total 46 goals and only conceded 6 goals. This positive result continues in 2019 season, that Persiraja had 100% home winning record in all their 11 home matches. By the end of this season, they won promotion to Liga 1.

After winning a promotion to 2020 Liga 1, Persiraja will move back their home ground to Harapan Bangsa Stadium, ^[26] since the facility in H. Dimurthala Stadium is not adequate to meet PSSI standard for Liga 1 matches.

Jersey and sponsors

The colour of team home jersey for ground player is orange, which refers to the colour of club's logo. ^{[27] [28]} For the 2020 Liga 1, MBB is the kit supplier for Persiraja, ^[29] whilst the sponsors on jersey are Dek Gam Fondation, Bank Aceh, Lion Parcel, Extra Joss, PDAM Tirta Daroy and The Atjeh Connection. ^[30]

Past seasons

The following table is Persiraja achievement in Indonesian league system since Liga Indonesia era

Season	Div.	Tie.	Final position	Piala Indonesia f
1994–95	Premier Division a	1	6th in West Zone First Round	not held
1995–96			7th in West Zone First Round
1996–97			3rd in Group A Second Round
1997–98			3rd in West Zone First Round (competition did not finish)
1998–99			Relegation Play-off [31]
1999–20			7th place in West Zone First Round [31]
2001			12th place in West Zone First Round (Relegated) [31]
2002	First Division	2	6th place in Second Round [31]
2003			5th place in Second Round [31]
2004			8th place in West Zone [31]
2005			First Round d	Did not participate
2006			2nd place in Second Round (Promoted) [31]	1st Round [32]
2007–08	Premier Division	1	17th in West Zone First Round (Relegated) e	1st Round [33]
2008–09		2	6th in Group I First Round	1st Round
2009–10			7th in Group I First Round	did not participate
2010–11			Runner-up (Promoted)	not held
2011–12	IPL b	1	7th	3rd Round
2013			5th in Group L Relegation Play-off Round (Relegated)	not held
2014	Premier Division	2	6th in Group 1 First Round
2015			Competition did not finish
2016	ISC B c		4th in Group A Second Round
2017	Liga 2		1st in Group E Relegation Play-off Round
2018			3rd in Group B Second Round	1st Round
2019			3rd Place (Promoted)
2020	Liga 1	1	7th (competition did not finish)	not held
2021–22			18th (Relegated)
2022–23	Liga 2	2	(competition did not finish)
2023–24			4th Place

Key

• Div. = Name of Division Played
• Tie. = Tier level in Indonesian league pyramid at the time of competition

Notes

• ^a From 1994–95 to 2007–08, Liga Indonesia Premier Division (not to be confused with Indonesian Premier League or IPL) was the first-tier league in Indonesian league pyramid, before became the second-tier league (present day: Liga 2). In 2008, Indonesian Super League replaced it as the first-tier league in Indonesian league pyramid.
• ^b Indonesian Premier League (IPL) was a fully professional football competition as the shared top tier of the football league pyramid in Indonesia with the Indonesia Super League within 2011–2013 before the two leagues merged for the 2014 season.
• ^c The 2016 ISC B was a football competition that replaced the temporarily-suspended LI Premier Division.
• ^d Persiraja should be relegated this season, but had dispensation due to 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake ^[31]
• ^e 2007–08 was the last season of Liga Indonesia Premier Division played as first-tier league. Only 20 out of 38 clubs were then qualified to 2008–09 Indonesia Super League. The rest 18 clubs were considered relegated and then played in 2008–09 Liga Indonesia Premier Division as the second-tier league.
• ^f Since PSSI started Piala Indonesia as the professional cup competition in 2005, the competition has not been held in annual basis.

Honours

• Perserikatan
  • Winners (1): 1980 ^[34]
• Liga Indonesia Premier Division / Liga 2
  • Runners-up (1): 2010–11 ^[35]
  • Third place (1): 2019

References

1. "Mantan Gelandang Persija Jakarta Gabung Persiraja" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 3 March 2020.
2. "Profil Tim Persiraja Banda Aceh di Liga 1 2021, Harimau Banda akan Datangkan 4 Pemain Asing".
3. "Persiraja Banda Aceh Dilaunching". klikkabar.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 20 March 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
4. "Persiraja Banda Aceh sah kembali ke tangan Nazaruddin Dek Gam, berdamai dengan Zulfikar SBY". aceh.antaranews.com. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
5. "Persiraja Banda Aceh Kembali Milik Dek Gam". Detik. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
6. "Ricuh, Laga Persiraja Kontra PSAP Dihentikan". bola.net (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
7. "Pemain Persiraja dengan PSAP Sigli Adu Jotos". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). 22 January 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
8. "Indonesian footballer Akli Fairuz dies after horror tackle".
9. "Terkait Meninggalnya Akli Fairuz, Kiper PSAP Diskors Setahun". detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
10. "Derby Aceh Ricuh". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
11. "Miris! Sepak Bola Indonesia Kembali Ricuh, Ini Videonya". bolasport.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
12. "PROFIL Divisi Utama Liga Indonesia 2009/10: Persiraja Banda Aceh". www.goal.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
13. "SKULL Ajak Warga Dukung Persiraja". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 1 May 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
14. "Sambut Liga 2, Skull Tampil dengan Logo Baru". www.acehnet.com (in Indonesian). 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
15. "SKULL Puji Persiapan Persiraja Musim Ini, Optimis Mampu Tembus Liga 1". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 24 April 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
16. "Kenapa Ribut Sesama Aceh…?". www.acehkita.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
17. "SKULL dan The LAN Makin Mesra". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
18. "APBD Boleh Biayai Kegiatan Olahraga, Tidak untuk Klub Profesional". detik.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 21 July 2018.
19. "Persiraja Banda Aceh Tawarkan Saham". detik.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 30 March 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
20. "Dek Gam Siap Beli Saham Persiraja". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 4 April 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
21. "BREAKING NEWS: Dek Gam Resmi Lepas Persiraja Ke Zulfikar". www.bithe.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 22 August 2022.
22. "Squad Persiraja Banda Aceh Liga 2 2023-2024". ligaindonesiabaru.com. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
23. "Pemain". persiraja.id (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 March 2020.
24. "Penuhi Kuota Pemain, Persiraja Banda Aceh Incar Pemain Lokal". bola.tempo.co (in Indonesian). 4 February 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2020.
25. "Persiraja Banda Aceh Umumkan 27 Pemain Ikut Kompetisi Liga 2, Ini Nama Lengkap & Nomor Punggungnya" (in Indonesian). Serambi Indonesia. 29 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
26. "Demi Bermarkas di Stadion Harapan Bangsa, Persiraja Siap Kebut Renovasi". bola.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
27. "Dari Aceh sampai Papua, dari Langsa hingga Singkil". persiraja.id. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
28. "Sepakbola Aceh dari Dimirthala ke Adly Calok". Tribunnews. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
29. "Persiraja Gandeng MBB Apparel untuk Arungi Liga 1 2020". kumparan.com. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
30. "Jersey resmi Persiraja tahun 2020 mohon dukungan dan doa dari masyarakat aceh". Archived from the original on 2021-12-26. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
31. "Profil Klub Persiraja Banda Aceh". gilabola.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 4 June 2018.
32. "Persiraja Banda Aceh vs Semen Padang". www.klasemenliga.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
33. "Indonesia 2007". www.rssf.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 5 June 2018.
34. "PT untuk Kejayaan Persiraja". tribunnews.com (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
35. "persiba bantul juara divisi utama liga indonesia 2010–11". goal.com. Archived from the original on 19 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.

External links

• (in Indonesian) Official website
• (in Indonesian) Persiraja Banda Aceh on Facebook
• (in Indonesian) Persiraja Banda Aceh on Instagram