Deltras Sidoarjo 3-2 Barito Putera: Late Winner Settles a Five-Goal Liga 2 Classic
Deltras Sidoarjo edged Barito Putera 3-2 at Stadion Gelora Delta on Sunday afternoon, producing one of the most entertaining matches of the Indonesian Liga 2 season so far. A late strike settled a contest that swung one way, then the other, before the home side finally restored order in front of a passionate Sidoarjo crowd.
The result gives Deltras a valuable three points in their push up the Liga 2 table, while Barito Putera leave East Java with nothing despite a spirited second-half comeback that briefly threatened to steal the match.
Match Overview
Deltras started with intent, pressing high and forcing Barito into hurried clearances. The home side's dominance was rewarded early, and by the interval they had built a two-goal cushion that looked comfortable. Barito, however, are a side with plenty of attacking quality, and they responded after the break with a sharper, more direct approach.
Two goals in thirteen minutes levelled the scoreline and silenced the Gelora Delta faithful, turning a controlled afternoon into a tense, end-to-end affair. Just as the visitors looked the more likely to complete the turnaround, Deltras found one final moment of quality to seal all three points.
Key Moments
- 14' — Deltras 1-0: A quick turnover in midfield released the Deltras right winger, whose low cross was converted at the near post.
- 39' — Deltras 2-0: A well-worked short corner caught Barito's defence flat-footed, doubling the lead before half-time.
- 55' — Deltras 2-1: Barito won a penalty after a mistimed challenge in the box, and the spot kick was dispatched confidently.
- 68' — Deltras 2-2: Sustained pressure paid off when a deflected shot looped beyond the goalkeeper to level the match.
- 84' — Deltras 3-2: The winner arrived from a driving run into the channel and a composed finish across the goalkeeper.
Tactical Story
Deltras set up in a compact shape that invited Barito to build from the back before springing forward on the counter. Their two-goal lead came from exactly that pattern: quick transitions, aggressive wide running, and an eagerness to attack the box with numbers.
Barito's second-half improvement stemmed from a simple adjustment — more bodies in central areas and a willingness to shoot from distance. Deltras dropped deeper as the half wore on, and for a twenty-minute spell they struggled to keep possession. The decisive change came when Deltras pushed their full-backs higher again, stretching the pitch and creating the space for the winning goal.
Standout Players
Deltras's attacking trio caused problems all afternoon, combining sharp movement with intelligent link-up play, while the goalkeeper produced two important saves at 2-2 to keep the score level. For Barito, the midfielder who drove the comeback showed why he remains one of the away side's most influential figures, repeatedly carrying the ball through pressure.
What It Means for the Table
Three points lift Deltras into a healthier position in the Liga 2 standings and reinforce their reputation as one of the division's toughest home venues. For Barito Putera, the defeat is a lesson in game management: their second-half response was excellent, but the two goals conceded before the break ultimately proved decisive. On this evidence, both clubs remain firmly in the promotion conversation as the campaign gathers pace.

