Arema–Persib Bandung rivalry or Western Blue and Eastern Blue derby is the name given in football to any match between two Indonesian football clubs with two different league backgrounds, Persib Bandung (Perserikatan) and Arema (Galatama). The fierce competition between both teams began in 1990 when Arema and Persib faced off in the semifinals 1990 Jawa Pos II Cup.
Persib Bandung and Arema were established in different eras, Persib was formed in 1933, while Arema in 1987. Both teams have groups of supporters who are equally well-known fanatics, namely Bobotoh (Persib Bandung) and Aremania (Arema). Both supporter groups have also been known for their psywar, conducted throughout the game, making the rivalry matches much awaited.
History
Actually there is no rivalry between the two clubs and supporters. However, the current condition is due to block-blocking that has occurred among Indonesian supporters.[1] But according to supporters this match is a match that determines who is the best blue club in among them. Violence between Aremania and Bobotoh were occurred several times. On 11 September 2022, Arema hosted at least 500 Persib supporters at Kanjuruhan Stadium for the first time since both sides clashed in the 2000s and were never given a quota for the away supporter.[2][3]
Results
Official match results
Data incomplete
The record counts all competitions (league, official tournament and pre-season tournament) including matches played during the era of dualism[broken anchor].
^The match was postponed at 27 minutes due to bad weather on 28 May 2006 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium. The match resumed on Monday morning 29 May 2006 at the same venue.[4]
^Arema ISL is the Arema club under the leadership of Rendra Kresna and is the forerunner of the current club Arema.
^The final match of the Inter Island Cup (IIC) 2014 which brought together Arema Cronus against Persib Bandung at the Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, on 25 January 2014, has been postponed. That was after, the local security did not recommend holding the match.[5]
