PSS Sleman is setting its sights on clinching the Pegadaian Championship 2025/2026 title as they prepare to face Garudayaksa FC in the highly anticipated final match. The decisive clash is scheduled to take place at Maguwoharjo Stadium on Saturday (9/5) at 7:00 PM WIB. Garudayaksa, meanwhile, arrives with a clear and ambitious goal: to shatter the “Super Elja’s” (PSS Sleman’s nickname) formidable unbeaten home record this season.
Ansyari Lubis, the head coach of PSS Sleman, has confirmed that the entire squad is in high spirits and intensely motivated, having already secured direct promotion to the Super League next season. According to Lubis, the “Elang Jawa” (Javanese Eagles) squad is brimming with excitement and eagerly anticipating the climactic final showdown.
“Tomorrow’s match has been eagerly awaited by all the players. Everyone is incredibly keen to play in the final,” Ansyari stated during the pre-match press conference held at Maguwoharjo Stadium on Friday (8/5).
Ansyari further emphasized that several PSS players bring invaluable experience from previous final appearances, which he believes will enable them to perform without undue pressure on this grand stage. The passionate and unwavering support from their home crowd is also expected to provide an invaluable surge of additional energy for his team.
Adding to the palpable sense of determination within the squad, PSS captain Fachruddin Aryanto articulated the “Elang Jawa” team’s fervent desire to perfectly cap off their successful promotion run by triumphantly clinching the championship trophy. He highlighted that the supporters’ resonant rallying cry, “Bablaske” (an Indonesian phrase meaning ‘finish it off’ or ‘go all the way’), serves as a distinct and powerful motivational force for the players.
“As our supporters passionately declare, ‘Bablaske!’ That’s precisely what drives us to win the championship outright. It’s about both promotion and the title,” Fachruddin declared, echoing the fervent sentiment of the loyal fanbase.
Anticipating a formidable Garudayaksa defense, known for its solid structure, Ansyari affirmed that his team has meticulously prepared a specialized strategy. He issued a clear directive to his players, urging them to give their absolute maximum effort to effectively weaken and dismantle the opposition’s strong backline.
“Yes, tomorrow we will weaken them, their defense. It’s simple, because everyone wants to win and possesses incredibly high motivation,” he added with conviction.
Meanwhile, Garudayaksa FC coach, Widodo C. Putro, confidently assured that his team arrives in Sleman meticulously prepared and fully ready for the challenge. While acknowledging PSS’s inherent strength and the undoubtedly massive support from the home crowd, Garudayaksa remains steadfast and unwavering in their pursuit of victory.
“We know PSS Sleman is a strong team with massive fan support, but our objective here is unequivocally clear: we aim to give our absolute best to bring the trophy back to Jakarta,” Widodo declared, outlining his team’s ultimate aspiration.
Widodo also addressed the impressive, unbeaten home record PSS has maintained at Maguwoharjo Stadium throughout the current season. He firmly asserted that such statistics, while notable, would not unduly impact his team’s mental fortitude or their resolve to perform at their peak in the high-stakes final.
“Every record is destined to be broken at some point. We are not overly burdened by those statistics whatsoever,” he confidently stated, dismissing any notion of intimidation.
Garudayaksa striker, Everton Nascimento, eloquently described the final match as the defining culmination of the team’s unwavering dedication and strenuous hard work throughout the entire season. He unequivocally affirmed his team’s resolute commitment to maintaining unwavering focus and rigorous discipline in pursuit of achieving the ultimate and desired result.
“We certainly respect PSS Sleman; they are a formidable team with a great history. But tomorrow, on the field, we will fight with 100 percent effort and determination for the win,” Everton stated emphatically, signaling his team’s fighting spirit.
This season’s Pegadaian Championship final is set to be an enthralling encounter, bringing together two dominant group winners who have both already secured direct promotion to the Super League 2026/2027. The highly anticipated duel at Maguwoharjo will not only be a battle for pride but will ultimately determine who will be crowned the undisputed champions of this season’s fiercely contested competition.
Summary
PSS Sleman will face Garudayaksa FC in the