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 2024âÂÂ25 Liga 1 season.
Founded on 18 May 1932, PSIS is one of the oldest football teams in Indonesia. It was previously known as Voetbalbond Indonesia Semarang.
Before the professional league was held in 1994âÂÂ1995, PSIS joined Perserikatan, an amateur football competition organized by the PSSI. Their greatest success was in the 1986âÂÂ87 season, when PSIS won the title after defeating Persebaya Surabaya in the final 1âÂÂ0 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.
In 1994, when Perserikatan and Galatama merged to form Liga Indonesia, PSIS was placed in the Premier division. In the 1998âÂÂ1999 season, PSIS attained their highest achievement by winning the probe. In the final, PSIS defeated Persebaya 1âÂÂ0 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 1999âÂÂ2000 season. A year later, PSIS managed to secure a promotion back to the Premier division.
PSIS Semarang made a surprise by accomplishing the 3rd place after defeating PSMS Medan with a score of 2âÂÂ1. The players like Muhammad Ridwan, Khusnul Yaqien, Modestus Setiawan, Idrus Gunawan, Maman Abdurrahman, Abdoulaye Djibril Diallo and Emanuel de Porras became superstars and 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 1âÂÂ3 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 1âÂÂ0 victory in a controversially postponed match due to the pitch invasion by the fans. In the semi-final, PSIS won 1âÂÂ0 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 0âÂÂ1 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.
In the 2008 season, PSIS and PKT Bontang joined the Indonesia Super League, replacing Persmin Minahasa and Persiter Ternate.
In the 2011âÂÂ2012 season, PSIS Semarang choose 2011âÂÂ12 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.
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 5âÂÂ0. 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 Borneo Samarinda. 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.
PSIS were relegated to Liga 2 three matchweeks before the end of the 2024âÂÂ25 Liga 1 season.
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.
PSIS Semarang's supporters call themselves (Pasukan Supporter Semarang Biru) and (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.
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.
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.