Persita Tangerang edged Malut United 3-2 in a pulsating Indonesian Liga 1 encounter at the Indomilk Arena on Sunday, 13 September 2026. The five-goal thriller saw the hosts twice surrender a lead before a late winner sealed all three points in front of a raucous home crowd.
Match Overview
Persita came into the match looking to climb the Liga 1 standings after a mixed start to the campaign. Malut United, meanwhile, were desperate for points to pull away from the relegation zone. The visitors set up to frustrate, but Persita's attacking intent was clear from the first whistle.
The game was played at a high tempo, with both sides committing numbers forward. Persita's 4-3-3 formation looked to stretch Malut United's back four, while the visitors relied on quick counter-attacks through their wingers.
Key Moments
- 12th minute: Persita took the lead when Ramiro Fergonzi latched onto a through ball and slotted past the goalkeeper.
- 28th minute: Malut United equalized against the run of play, Ilham Udin Armaiyn finishing a swift counter-attack.
- 41st minute: Ezequiel Vidal restored Persita's advantage with a curling free-kick from the edge of the box.
- 67th minute: Fergonzi grabbed his second, heading in a corner to make it 3-1.
- 82nd minute: Ricky Kayame pulled one back for Malut United, setting up a tense finale.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Persita held firm to claim a vital win.
Tactical Story
Persita's midfield trio controlled the tempo, with Vidal dropping deep to orchestrate attacks. Malut United's 4-2-3-1 struggled to contain the overlapping runs of Persita's full-backs. The away side's manager made attacking substitutions in the second half, which led to a more open game, but it also left gaps at the back that Persita exploited for the third goal.
Standout Players
- Ramiro Fergonzi (Persita): A brace and a constant threat in the box. His movement off the ball caused problems all afternoon.
- Ezequiel Vidal (Persita): Dictated play and scored a stunning free-kick. His vision unlocked Malut United's defence repeatedly.
- Ilham Udin Armaiyn (Malut United): The visitors' best outlet, scoring one and creating several chances with his direct running.
What the Result Means
The win lifts Persita Tangerang into the top half of the Liga 1 table, boosting their confidence ahead of a tough away trip next week. For Malut United, the defeat leaves them hovering just above the drop zone, and they will need to tighten up defensively to avoid a relegation battle. The head-to-head record now favors Persita, who have won two of the last three meetings between the sides.

