Jakarta Casual

PSS fans were probably the first to make an impression overseas when BCS started to appear in Ultra fanzines. A steady flow of Europeans would head east to Yogyakarta, not for the temples like Borobodor or the street food of Marlioboro but for the terraces of Maguwoharjo Stadium, tucked away in a residential area of Sleman.

I went one game and there was just me. A few years later and there were white guys everywhere keen to grab a piece of the BCS action for their podcasts, vlogs or Instagram accounts. No one knew any of the players or even the opponents, it was all about the green, white and black on the terraces.

While the Maguwoharjo terraces aren't for me with my advanced years and the absence of safety barriers thousands do fill the southern terrace behind the goal. And not just lads - as with many Indonesian clubs, there is an active female fan base which is just as involved and just as passionate as this documentary on Al Jazeera shows. 

A few years earlier it was the Arema fans, Aremania, which was making waves but their fame never really stretched beyond Indonesia's numerous shores. BCS were different. For once, the world was taking notice of football and they weren't focused or death. Like I had been for the previous 10 years, their focus was on the terraces. The Maguwoharjo in full voice was as fine a spectacle as the rice fields of Bali and the mystical temples of Central Java and people were spreading the word

The club however, has never been able to replicate the fans' appeal or success on the field. Money as ever, is always going to be an issue but over the years, there has been discord between the club management and the fans with BCS not reluctant to boycott games if they feel the club is not being run professionally.

In the last 20 years, PSS have only ever once finished in the top 10 of the top flight. The fans turn up, the club doesn't seem to.

Now, though, as Group B of the Championship prepares to return post Ramadhan, PSS are four points clear of second-placed Barito Putera and unbeaten in their last seven games, in a good position to make a speedy return to the top division.

PSS v Kendal Tornado 3-1 9,558

PSS v Persipura 0-0 13,237

PSS v Persiku 2-1 13,979

PSS v PSIS 2-1 13,662

PSS v Persela 1-1 11,166

PSS v Barito Putera 0-0 12,967

PSS v Deltras 3-1 5,574

PSS v Persipura 2-0 6,484

With three games played behind closed doors, PSS have been averaging 7,878 per home game this season, a number which is only bettered by Buriram United and BG Pathum United in Thailand's Thai League 1 (Malaysia seems to have stopped announcing their attendances unfortunately).

There is no doubt that Indonesian football is better off for having PSS in the Super League. Their fans deserve it at least.

If you're in the neighbourhood and PSS are at home, go to a game. You'll enjoy the atmosphere at least and the chances are high you'll be singing 'ku yakin kau bisa, ku yakin kau bisa menang' for days after!

# posted by Me @ 8:20 PM