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​Persija Faces Major Setback as Rio Fahmi and Witan Sulaeman Suffer Injuries

​Persija Faces Major Setback as Rio Fahmi and Witan Sulaeman Suffer Injuries

Persija Jakarta could be dealing with a serious blow to their squad depth following injuries to two of their key players, Rio Fahmi and Witan Sulaeman. Both were forced off the field during the high-stakes match against Persebaya Surabaya on Saturday night, and early signs suggest they may be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Carlos Peña expressed deep concern over their conditions following the match. While a detailed medical assessment is still pending, the initial diagnosis points to a hamstring issue for Rio and a potentially severe ankle injury for Witan, the result of a heavy challenge.
These injuries not only disrupted the match strategy—forcing two substitutions in the first half—but also pose a serious challenge for the team moving forward. The prospect of losing two regular starters with six matches remaining is far from ideal, especially as Persija continues to fight for a strong finish in the BRI Liga 1 standings.
Despite these setbacks, Peña remains focused on guiding his team through the remaining fixtures. He acknowledged the emotional toll the situation has taken on the squad but praised the players’ fighting spirit and determination on the pitch.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw at Gelora Bung Karno, a result that saw Persija drop from fourth to fifth place in the league standings. With only a handful of games left, the team must now regroup quickly and adapt to this new challenge in their pursuit of a top finish.