Although it is not held annually, the Perang Bintang has always been a highly anticipated event for football fans in Indonesia. Year after year, this event has captured attention and offered unforgettable matches. Let’s take a look back at some of the most memorable editions of the Perang Bintang.
1994/95: The First Perang Bintang that Shook the Scene
In the 1994/95 season, the Indonesian League held a Perang Bintang adopting the concept from the NBA All-Stars. At that time, the public’s enthusiasm for the Indonesian League was at its peak, and this match became one of the highlights for football fans.
The 1994/95 Perang Bintang drew significant attention. Fans were given the opportunity to choose the players who would participate in the game via postcards, an innovative method for its time. The Indonesian Dunhill League operator then assembled teams consisting of the best players from the western and eastern regions.
The Senayan Main Stadium, now known as the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, was the venue for this match. The East Stars team, strengthened by football legend Roger Milla, defeated the West Stars with a narrow 5-4 score. This victory became a sweet memory for the spectators present and those watching from home.
2006: Returning with a Similar Concept
After a few years’ hiatus, the Perang Bintang returned in 2006 at the Jatidiri Stadium, Semarang. With the same concept, this match remained a magnet for football fans. This time, the West Stars emerged victorious, defeating the East Stars with a convincing 3-0 score. Goals were scored by Zah Rahan, Alcidio Fleitas, and Emmanuel De Porras.
2006 Line-Up:
- West Region:
- Goalkeepers: Kosin Hatairattanakool (PERSIB), Hendro Kartiko (Persija)
- Defenders: Mahyadi Panggabean (PSMS), Hamka Hamzah (PERSIJA), Charis Yulianto (Persib), Firmansyah, Jaime Antonio Sandoval
- Midfielders: Maman Abdurachman (PSIS), Firman Utina, Harry Salisburry (PSIS), I Putu Gede, Zah Rahan (PERSEKABPAS), Ismed Sofyan (PERSIJA)
- Forwards: Agus Indra Kurniawan (Persija), Emmanuel de Porras (PSIS), Alcidio Fleitas (PSMS), Radouane Barkoui (PERSIB), Saktiawan Sinaga (PSMS)
- East Region:
- Goalkeepers: Samsidar (PSM), Jendri Pitoy (Persipura)
- Defenders: Ricardo Salampessy (PERSIPURA), Maulylessy, Leonardo Guiterez, Widi Santoso, Zaenal Arifin (Persib)
- Midfielders: Syamsul Chaerudin (PSM), Ronald Fagundez (Persik), Lorenzo Cabanas (Persiba), Asea Atioga Romatic, Jorge Toledo
- Forwards: Haryanto, Taufik, Rahmat Rivai (Persiter)
2010: New Format, New Excitement
The 2010 Perang Bintang was held at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, with a slightly different format. This time, the league champion had the opportunity to face the ISL All-Stars team. Fans could select the All-Stars players via SMS, a more modern method compared to postcards. Arema Malang, who was the champion at that time, faced the All-Stars team filled with star players like Aldo Barreto. This match ended with a score of 4-5 in favor of the ISL All-Stars, adding to the list of exciting matches in the history of the Perang Bintang.
2010 Line-Up:
- Arema Malang:
- Goalkeeper: Kurnia Meiga
- Defenders: Purwaka Yudhi, Leonard Tupamahu, Zulkifli Syukur, Benny Wahyudi
- Midfielders: Ahmad Bustomi, Roman Chmelo, Esteban Guillén, M. Ridhuan
- Forwards: Noh Alam Shah, Yongki Aribowo
- ISL All-Stars:
- Goalkeepers: M. Haris Maulana (Persib), Ferry Rotinsulu (Sriwijaya FC)
- Defenders: Edi Sibung (PSPS), Nova Arianto (Persib), M. Roby (Persisam), Ricardo Salampessy (Persipura), Maman Abdurrahman (Persib)
- Midfielders: Diva Tarkas (PSM), M. Ilham (Persija), Atep (Persib), Eka Ramdani (Persib), Zah Rahan (Sriwijaya FC), Firman Utina (Persija), Aldo Barreto (Bontang FC)
- Forwards: Christian Gonzales (Persib), Boaz Solossa (Persipura), Bambang Pamungkas (Persija), Park Jung Hwan (PSM)
- Coach: Jacksen F. Tiago (Persipura)
2011 and 2013: Dominance of Persipura Jayapura
Persipura Jayapura appeared twice in the Perang Bintang, in 2011 and 2013. In 2011, the All-Stars team, strengthened by top players such as Bambang Pamungkas, had to concede defeat with a score of 2-1. Two years later, the All-Stars team, featuring Beto Goncalves and Sergio Van Dijk, also faced a similar fate with a 2-0 loss. Persipura’s dominance in the Perang Bintang showcased their strength and quality as one of the best teams in Indonesia.
2011 Line-Up:
- Persipura Jayapura:
- Goalkeeper: Yoo Jae-Hoon
- Defenders: Bio Paulin, Victor Igbonefo, Ricardo Salampessy, Ortizan Solossa
- Midfielders: Imanuel Wanggai, Gerald Pangkali, Ian Kabes, Zah Rahan
- Forwards: Boaz Solossa, Titus Bonai
- ISL All-Stars:
- Goalkeepers: Kurnia Mega (Arema FC), Ferry Rotinsulu (Sriwijaya FC)
- Defenders: Claudiano Alves (Sriwijaya FC), Edi Hafid Murtado (Pelita Jaya), M. Roby (Persisam Samarinda), Gunawan Dwi Cahyo (Sriwijaya FC), David Pagbe (Semen Padang), Purwaka Yudi (Arema FC)
- Midfielders: M. Nasuha (Persija Jakarta), Zulkifli Syukur (Arema FC), Ahmad Bustomi (Arema FC), Muhammad Ridwan (Sriwijaya FC), Miljan Radovic (Persib Bandung), Ronald Fagundes (Persisam Samarinda)
- Forwards: Bambang Pamungkas (Persija Jakarta), Cristian Gonzales (Persib Bandung), Aldo Baretto (Persiba Balikpapan), Yongki Aribowo (Arema FC)
- Coach: Nil Maizar (Semen Padang)
2012 Line-Up:
- Persipura Jayapura:
- Goalkeeper: Yoo Jae-Hoon
- Defenders: Bio Paulin, Victor Igbonefo, Ricardo Salampessy, Ortizan Solossa
- Midfielders: Imanuel Wanggai, Gerald Pangkali, Ian Kabes, Zah Rahan
- Forwards: Boaz Solossa, Titus Bonai
- ISL All-Stars:
- Goalkeepers: Kurnia Meiga (Arema Indonesia), I Made Wirawan (Persiba)
- Defenders: Zulkifli Syukur (Persib), Ricardo Salampessy (Persipura), Victor Igbonefo (Pelita Jaya), Fabiano Beltrame (Persija), Supriyono (Persisam)
- Midfielders: Atep (Persib), Eka Ramdani (Persisam), Ahmad Bustomi (Mitra Kukar), Zah Rahan (Persipura), Gustavo Lopez (Persela), Jajang Sukmara (Persib)
- Forwards: Aldo Barreto (Persiba), Bambang Pamungkas (Persija), Alberto Goncalves (Persipura), Mohd. Safee Sali (Pelita Jaya), Mario Alejandro Costas (Persela)
2013 Line-Up:
- Persipura Jayapura:
- Goalkeeper: Yoo Jae-Hoon
- Defenders: Bio Paulin, Victor Igbonefo, Ricardo Salampessy, Ortizan Solossa
- Midfielders: Imanuel Wanggai, Gerald Pangkali, Ian Kabes, Zah Rahan
- Forwards: Boaz Solossa, Titus Bonai
- ISL All-Stars:
- Goalkeepers: I Made Wirawan (Persib), Choirul Huda (Persela)
- Defenders: Hasim Kipuw (Arema), Supardi (Persib), Thierry Gathuessi (Arema), Tonny Sucipto (Persib), Victor Igbonefo (Arema), M. Robby (Persisam)
- Midfielders: Patrice Nzekou (Persiba), A. Jufriyanto (Sriwijaya FC), Ahmad Bustomi (Mitra Kukar), M. Ridwan (Persib), Tantan (Sriwijaya FC), Greg Nwokolo (Arema), Matsunaga Shohei (Gresik United), Lancine Kone (Persisam), Konate Makan (Barito)
- Forwards: Beto Goncalves (Arema), Ferdinand Sinaga (Persisam), Sergio Van Dijk (Persib), Djibril Coulibaly (Barito)
Unforgettable Memories
The Perang Bintang has always brought sweet memories for spectators and football enthusiasts in Indonesia. Even though it is not held every year, each edition of the Perang Bintang is always eagerly awaited and provides memorable entertainment. From the 90s to the 2010s, the Perang Bintang remains one of the most anticipated events on the Indonesian football calendar. So, which year of the Perang Bintang is the most memorable for you?