Persik Kediri 2-1 PSS Sleman: Late Riyatno Abiyoso Strike Seals Comeback Win in Indonesian Liga 1

Persik Kediri produced a determined second-half response to beat PSS Sleman 2-1 in Indonesian Liga 1 action at Stadion Brawijaya on Thursday, October 22, 2026. After falling behind inside the opening half-hour, Persik equalized before the break and found the winner through Riyatno Abiyoso in the 78th minute, giving the home side an important three points in front of an energetic Kediri crowd.

The result underlined Persik’s growing resilience at home and added another absorbing chapter to the Liga 1 season. PSS Sleman had started brightly and led through Ricky Cawor, but they were unable to protect the advantage as Persik’s pressure and sharper second-half decision-making turned the match around.

Match Overview

PSS Sleman looked the more compact side early on, pressing Persik’s midfield and looking to spring quick attacks down the channels. That approach paid off in the 23rd minute when Ricky Cawor latched onto a well-weighted pass and finished calmly to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The goal quieted the home support temporarily and forced Persik to play with more urgency.

Persik gradually settled into the contest, using width to stretch PSS’s back line and committing more numbers into the penalty area. The equalizer arrived four minutes before halftime through Ramiro Fergonzi, who reacted quickest to a loose ball and steered it past the goalkeeper. That goal changed the mood inside Stadion Brawijaya and gave Persik a platform to dominate the early stages of the second half.

The winning moment came in the 78th minute. Persik worked the ball into a dangerous area on the right, and Riyatno Abiyoso arrived at the back post to convert a low delivery. PSS pushed for a late equalizer, but Persik’s defenders held their shape and managed the closing minutes with maturity.

Key Moments

• 23’ – PSS Sleman take the lead: Ricky Cawor finishes a quick attacking move to make it 1-0 to the visitors.
• 41’ – Persik Kediri equalize: Ramiro Fergonzi pounces inside the box to send the teams into halftime level.
• 58’ – Persik denied by a fine save: A close-range effort is kept out as the home side ramp up the pressure.
• 78’ – Riyatno Abiyoso scores the winner: The Persik attacker converts from close range after good work down the flank.
• 90+3’ – PSS Sleman’s final chance: A header from a late corner drifts wide as Persik see out the win.

Tactical Story

Persik Kediri’s comeback was built on patience and better use of the wide areas. After a difficult opening period, the home side increased the tempo of their passing and began to pin PSS Sleman deeper. The midfield trio worked harder to win second balls, while the full-backs pushed higher to create overloads. That sustained pressure eventually told.

PSS Sleman, by contrast, struggled to maintain their early intensity. Their counter-attacking threat faded after halftime, and they spent long spells defending near their own penalty area. The visitors had moments on the break, but they could not find the composure needed to slow the game down or create a clear late chance.

Standout Players

Riyatno Abiyoso will take the headlines for the winning goal, but his movement throughout the second half caused problems for PSS’s defense. Ramiro Fergonzi was equally important, not only for his equalizer but also for his hold-up play and willingness to drop into midfield. For PSS Sleman, Ricky Cawor was the standout performer, taking his goal well and remaining a threat during the first hour.

Table and Season Impact

The win gives Persik Kediri a valuable boost in the Indonesian Liga 1 standings and reinforces their home record. Three points from a match in which they trailed will be viewed as a sign of character, especially with the season entering a demanding stretch of fixtures. Persik will now look to build momentum and climb further away from the lower half of the table.

For PSS Sleman, the defeat is a frustrating one. They produced enough in the first half to suggest they could take something from the match, but their inability to hold the lead leaves them with work to do in the coming weeks. The Liga 1 results continue to show how competitive the division is, with small margins deciding tightly contested games like this one.