Indonesia. President's Cup
The Indonesia President's Cup is a prestigious national knockout competition organized by the Football Association of Indonesia (PSSI). It features top clubs from Liga 1 and Liga 2, competing for a trophy named after the nation's leader. The tournament highlights football's role as a unifying force in diverse Indonesia, where matches often become massive spectacles with fervent fan support.
History and foundation
Launched in 2015 under President Joko Widodo to boost domestic football's appeal and attract investment, the inaugural edition was won by Persija Jakarta, who edged Mataram Utama 4-3 in the final. Persik Kediri's 2017 triumph was a fairy tale for the underdogs. Notably, the 2018 final between Bali United and Persib Bandung drew over 50,000 fans; the 2022 edition paused amid the Kanjuruhan Stadium tragedy, prompting sweeping safety reforms.
Tournament format
The format begins with early rounds for lower-division sides in single-elimination play-offs, progressing to round-of-16 and quarterfinals with Liga 1 elites. The final is hosted on a neutral venue, often Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. Since 2023, a group stage for 24 teams has been introduced, with round-robin matches leading to knockouts.
Interesting facts
Average goals per match hover at 2.8, spiking to 3.5 in heated derbies. Top scorers include Ferdinand Sinuwatu (9 for Persija in 2016) and Bamba Nuraid (8 for Bali United). Standout players: Dutch striker Eric Biasto from Persib, Marc Kloppers of PSM Makassar, and Indonesian stars like Marco Tuahrape and Evan Palesa, whose cup heroics paved ways to ASEAN competitions.