Persatuan Sepakbola Indonesia Semarang ( 'Indonesian Football Association of Semarang'), commonly known by its abbreviation PSIS is an Indonesian professional football club based in Semarang, Central Java. The club play their home matches at the Jatidiri Stadium. They are set to compete in Championship, the second tier of Indonesian football, following relegation in the 2024–25 Liga 1 season.
History Founded on 18 May 1932, PSIS is one of the oldest football teams in Indonesia. It was previously known as Voetbalbond Indonesia Semarang.
First title Before the professional league was held in 1994–1995, PSIS joined Perserikatan, an amateur football competition organized by the PSSI. Their greatest success was in the 1986–87 season, when PSIS won the title after defeating Persebaya Surabaya in the final 1–0 by Syaiful Amri's goal. At the time, PSIS legend Ribut Waidi was in the team. There is now a sculpture of Ribut Waidi in the center of Semarang.
Ligina (Liga Indonesia) era In 1994, when Perserikatan and Galatama merged to form Liga Indonesia, PSIS was placed in the Premier division. In the 1998–1999 season, PSIS attained their highest achievement by winning the probe. In the final, PSIS defeated Persebaya 1–0 in a final match held at Manado. The goal was scored by Tugiyo in the injury time of the second half. However, PSIS was ironically relegated in 1999–2000 season. A year later, PSIS managed to secure a promotion back to the Premier division.
Golden era: 2005–2007 PSIS Semarang made a surprise by accomplishing the 3rd place after defeating PSMS Medan with a score of 2–1. The players like Muhammad Ridwan, Khusnul Yaqien, Modestus Setiawan, Idrus Gunawan, Maman Abdurrahman, Abdoulaye Djibril Diallo and Emanuel de Porras became superstars and following their success, were wanted by bigger teams. Result was achieved by coach Bambang Nurdiansyah.
In 2006, competing in the Western Zone, PSIS finished in 3rd place of the regular season. Therefore, PSIS went to the next round with 7 other teams, split into two groups of 4. PSIS won the first match against Arema Malang, courtesy of Gustavo Ortiz's goal. However, they were defeated by Persik Kediri with a score of 1–3 on matchday 2. PSIS needed a win in the last match against Persiba Balikpapan to progress to the semi-final, and they successfully booked a place with 1–0 victory in a controversially postponed match due to the pitch invasion by the fans. In the semi-final, PSIS won 1–0 against Persekabpas Pasuruan who defeated them twice in the regular season. In the grand final, PSIS met Persik Kediri once again, and was defeated with the score of 0–1 in extra time. The goal was scored by Cristian Gonzáles in 107th minute.
In 2007 season, PSIS successfully recruited Julio Lopez from Chile, projected as a replacement for Emanuel de Porras who controversially left the team after a defeat in the 2006 Liga Indonesia grand final.
Super League era In the 2008 season, PSIS and PKT Bontang joined the Indonesia Super League, replacing Persmin Minahasa and Persiter Ternate.
In the 2011–2012 season, PSIS Semarang choose 2011–12 Indonesian Premier Division under the authority of PT Liga Prima Indonesia Sportindo (LPIS), finishing 5th.
In the 2013 season, PSIS moved to Divisi Utama. Ronald Fagundez and Addison Alves injuries contributed to defeated by the champion Persebaya, PSBS Biak Numfor, and PS Bangka.
Scandal in 2014 season PSIS reinforced with two foreign players Julio Alcorsé and Ronald Fagundez, starting 2014 Liga Indonesia Premier Division at the top the standings in Group 4 with only 1 defeat. In the 2nd round, PSIS advanced to the semi-final along with PSS Sleman. Biggest victory came against Persiwa Wamena, with the score of 5–0. Hari Nur Yulianto scored 14, and Julio Alcorsé 13 goals.
PSS Sleman and PSIS Semarang were involved in match fixing, where both clubs wanted to be defeated in order not to meet Pusamania Borneo. Both teams scored 5 own goals in 7 minutes, and the game ended with 2-3 victory for Sleman. As a result of this scandal, PSIS Semarang was disqualified. Coach Eko Riyadi, players Saptono, Fadli Manan and Catur Adi Nugraha received lifetime bans and financial fines.
Liga 1 era In the 2024–25 Liga 1 season PSIS were relegated to Liga 2 with two matches left.
Players Current squad
Retired numbers 9 – Erik Dwi Ermawansyah (posthumous)
Season-by-season records +Men's TeamSeasonLeagueTierTms.PosPiala Indonesia League Cup ACLE ACL 2 ACGL ACC1994–95Premier Division13413th, East Division––––––1995–96Premier Division13110th, East Division––––––1996–97Premier Division1336th, Central Division––––––1997–98Premier Division131did not finish––––––1998–99Premier Division1281st––––––1999–2000Premier Division12813th, East Division––First round–––2001First Division2231st––––––2002Premier Division1248th, East Division––––––2003Premier Division12013th––––––2004Premier Division11810th––––––2005Premier Division1283rdR2–––––2006Premier Division1282ndR2–––––2007–08Premier Division13610th, West Division––––––2008–09Indonesia Super League11818thR2–––––2009–10Premier Division2336th, Group 2––––––2010–11Premier Division2398th, Group 2––––––2011–12Premier Division2285th, Group 2R3–––––2013Premier Division (LPIS)22110th, Group 1––––––Premier Division (LI)2394th, Second round2014Premier Division263Third Round––––––2015Premier Division255did not finish––––––2016Indonesia Soccer Championship B2533rd, Second Round––––––2017Liga 22613rd––––––2018Liga 111810thR16–––––2019Liga 111814th–––––2020Liga 1118did not finish––––––2021–22Liga 11187th––––––2022–23Liga 111813th––––––2023–24Liga 11186th––––––2024–25Liga 111818th––––––2025–26Championship2208th, Group 2––––––2026–27Championship220TBD–TBD––––
+Women's TeamSeasonLeagueTierTms.Pos2019Liga 1 Putri1105th, Group A
Continental record
CompetitionPldWDLGFGAAsian Club Championship 2 0 0 2 4 9
SeasonCompetitionRoundClubHomeAwayAggregate1999–2000Asian Club ChampionshipFirst round Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–3 2–6 4–9
Crest and colours
From the foundation of the club, the common home kit includes a blue shirt and blue shorts. The away kit of the club is associated with a white or black background.
Supporters and rivalries PSIS Semarang's supporters call themselves Panser Biru (Pasukan Supporter Semarang Biru) and SneX (Supporter Semarang Extreme). Panser Biru was founded on 25 March 2001. Earlier, on 22 October 2000, a Care Forum PSIS Semarang was created. SneX became an independent group on 20 March 2005.
Rivalries PSIS has a rivalry with Persis Solo because of the prestige between the two teams in Central Java. The rivalry with Persebaya Surabaya was born from the controversy of Sepakbola Gajah since Perserikatan. PSIS supporters had a rivalry with Persijap Jepara because of the riots that had taken place.
Mascot Warak ngendog is a fictional fauna that depicts the symbols of unity of all ethnic groups in Semarang, namely Javanese, ethnic Arabian, and Chinese. Ethnic unity creates a harmonious and peaceful city of Semarang. The appearance of the Warak Ngendog animal is that its head resembles a horned dragon, its neck is long like a camel, while its body, legs and tail resemble those of a goat. At first glance, the Warak ngendog animal is similar to the Qilin animal, but the Kirin has a body like a horse and a tail like a lion.
The MJ (Mahesa Jenar) is identical to fictional figures that are more focused on one group, namely Islam.
Mascots are often used to liven up the atmosphere. They don't not only function as an identity, it also brings joy to fans of PSIS Semarang.
Official staff
Honours DomesticLeague/DivisionTitlesRunners-upSeasons wonSeasons runners-upPerserikatan101986–87Liga Indonesia Premier Division111998–992006Liga Indonesia First Division102001 Perserikatan First Division 101983
AFC (Asian competitions) Asian Club Championship First round (1): 1999–2000
Friendly tournaments Piala Emas Bang Yos Runner-Up (1): 2006 Piala Kampoeng Semawis Winner (1): 2009 Piala Polda Jateng Winner (1): 2015 Piala Siliwangi Winner (1): 1983 Piala Tugu Muda Winner (1): 1978 Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah Cup Runner-Up (1): 1987 Trofeo Pesantenan Runner-Up (1): 2019
See also List of football clubs in Indonesia
References
External links Official website