Persiba Balikpapan secured a narrow 1-0 home victory over Barito Putera in a crucial Indonesian Liga 2 match on January 24, 2026. The win at the Batakan Stadium provided a vital three points for Persiba in their quest for a top-half finish. The only goal of the game came in the second half, a moment of individual brilliance as a Persiba winger cut inside and fired a low shot into the corner. Barito Putera pushed for an equalizer and created several chances, but the Persiba defense and goalkeeper stood firm to preserve the clean sheet. This result allowed Persiba Balikpapan to climb above their rivals in the league table, creating a small buffer in the standings. The Barito Putera manager rued his team's missed opportunities in front of goal.