Malut United vs Persib, Reunion Match Without Bojan Hodak

Persib Bandung faces a tough challenge when visiting Malut United's home ground in the postponed Week 12 match of the Super League. The Malut United vs Persib Bandung match is scheduled to take place at Kie Raha Stadium, Ternate, North Maluku, Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 13:30 WIB.

In this match, Persib will definitely appear without head coach Bojan Hodak on the sidelines. The Croatian coach must serve a suspension due to accumulated yellow cards.

Bojan's role will be temporarily taken over by assistant coach Igor Tolic, who is entrusted to lead Persib directly in this crucial duel.

Bojan Hodak's absence is certainly a unique challenge for Maung Bandung (Persib), considering the away trip to Ternate is known to be difficult. Besides the long travel factor, Persib also faces an emotional atmosphere because Malut United is now strengthened by several former key Persib players who played a major role in last season's championship victory.

Names like Ciro Alves, David da Silva, Tyronne del Pino, and Gustavo Franca are important parts of the Malut United squad. These four players were key figures when they led Persib to back-to-back championship titles, making this encounter filled with nostalgic sentiment as well as professional rivalry.

"I have to say they are our friends, they helped us become champions last time, as well as the year before," said Igor Tolic.

"They are a big part of Persib's history and we also spent a lot of time together."

Despite the emotional closeness, Igor emphasized that Persib will remain professional. According to him, the playing characteristics of these former players are well understood by the Persib coaching staff and players.

"In the upcoming match, there aren't many unknowns. We know how Ciro plays and also our former players," he explained.

Persib is also said to have prepared a special approach to neutralize the influence of these former players. Igor realizes that Malut United is now managed by a different coach, which could lead to tactical changes compared to when those players were still wearing Persib jerseys.

"They also have a different coach and there might be differences in the tactics applied. But we have also seen how they played in previous matches," said Igor.

Given the match experience both teams possess, Igor believes the potential for surprises in this match is relatively small. Persib and Malut United already understand each other's playing characteristics, considering the high intensity of competition throughout the season.

"So I think there won't be many surprises. They also know how we play because we have played many matches," he clarified.

Ultimately, Igor stressed that the match result will be heavily determined by the individual performance of the players on the field. Whoever can display the most readiness and effectiveness will have a greater chance of emerging victorious.

"We are just waiting to see which players can perform well in the upcoming match, hoping they play well and in the end, we will know who wins."

The Malut United vs Persib Bandung match is predicted to be tightly contested, pitting Persib's ambition to maintain consistency at the top of the table against Malut United's spirit, fueled by highly motivated familiar faces.