Seven Years Away from Home, Shin Tae-yong Speaks Up for Persija's Fairness

In a press conference ahead of the second week of Indonesia's top-flight league season 2026/2027, Persija Jakarta coach Shin Tae-yong did not talk about tactical formations or a list of injured players. His gaze stopped on a printed fixture list, and then the question burst out in surprise: "It's been seven years already? We haven't hosted Persib Bandung in Jakarta since 2026. That really shocked me." The silence in the room lasted a few seconds. For football fans, the names Persija and Persib symbolize one of the most passionate derbies in Southeast Asia. Yet for seven years, the capital's team only met their eternal rival away, while the sacred Gelora Bung Karno Stadium (SUGBK) echoed with the cheers of other matches. I once heard an old friend say: "The stands are noisier now, but I miss the noise of the time before phones." Perhaps Shin Tae-yong is also drawing a different comparison: between the noise of a home stadium and the loneliness of away soil. The problem is not only emotional. A Jakarta derby at home has the potential to generate one of the highest revenues of the season from ticket sales, advertising, and broadcast rights. For Persija to be away for seven years may have cost the club a significant economic resource, although the exact figures have not been disclosed. This is a double loss that Shin Tae-yong wants to bring to light, not only from a professional perspective but also through the lens of league governance. Based on my experience following matches across many countries, Shin Tae-yong's issue was raised before the match, not after the result. This gives him a high moral ground in the debate before kickoff. When a coach chooses to speak early, he is not only protecting his team but also creating a narrative of confrontation: us against an unfair system. This can unite players in the dressing room, but it can also put them under greater pressure if they fail to win. For seven years, each time Persija and Persib met, Persija had to travel to Bandung or a neutral venue, while Persib never had to leave their base when coming to Jakarta. Home advantage in football has been quantified in many studies: teams win about 50-60% of matches at home. But that figure does not capture the fatigue of travel, the absence of familiar fans, or the feeling of being deprived of a sacred ritual. Screens flicker continuously in the stands, but the ball still rolls to the old rhythm of historical encounters. Notably, Shin Tae-yong is not demanding that Persib be the away team in Jakarta for two legs. He simply suggests a fairer approach: when it is Persib's turn to be the home team, they should also be moved to another stadium, so the disadvantage is shared evenly. This is not a reckless suggestion from a struggling manager but a structured proposal based on the logic of reciprocity. A neutral stadium, whether in Jakarta or Bandung, would remove the geographical advantage of one of the two teams. Is there a deeper implication? In the world of football, such statements often carry psychological tactics. By questioning the fairness of the league before a big match, the Korean coach may shift media attention away from the team's poor performance and instill in players the belief that they are fighting for something greater. Football is not just about fitness and technique; it is also about narrative, and whoever has the better story gains a mental edge. However, bringing the derby back to Jakarta in September 2026 also creates a paradox. Once there is no longer a reason to complain about an unfair schedule, Persija will face a new pressure: the weight of greater expectation in a home match. With over seventy thousand seats at SUGBK, the stadium could become a starting point, but if the home side fails to manage the game well, disappointment from the stands could turn into a kind of "fearful football." At home, players sometimes face heavier pressure, and having to attack in front of tens of thousands of eyes can distort their usual rhythm. Moreover, if Shin Tae-yong's request is accepted, it would set a very tricky precedent. A national league already complicated by geography and security would face many similar requests from other clubs. Football is born from the imperfection of schedules; clubs often have to adapt, and "pitch conditions" are part of the game. Few teams in the world have never experienced seasons with more away games than home games for various reasons. Fairness does not mean everything must be identical, but that everything must be transparent. I remember the saying of an old friend: "In an era where everyone speaks fast, football needs people who listen slowly." In a time when everything is fast, complaints like Shin Tae-yong's may be dismissed as trivial. But if you listen slowly, you understand that he is defending a fundamental principle of the game. After all, the most important thing for a coach is to be able to predict outcomes only when the competitive environment is placed within a predictable framework. When the stadium is empty of people or when fans are deprived of a festival, football loses part of its soul. For Persija, this match is not just about three points; it is an opportunity for the new generation of players to touch a ritual that previous generations inherited. Do they have enough courage to revive that memory against their biggest rival?