Madura United secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Persib Bandung on Thursday night, October 22, 2026, at Stadion Gelora Madura Ratu Pamelingan in Pamekasan, thanks to an 89th-minute goal by Dimitar Mitkov, detiksport reported. The result lifted the home side into third place in the Super League table.

Dimitar Mitkov Breaks the Late Deadlock in Pamekasan

The match remained scoreless deep into regulation before a defensive miscue handed the hosts a decisive opening in the 89th minute. Iran Junior drove the attack forward, capitalizing on a turnover in the Persib backline to feed Dimitar Mitkov right in front of goal, where the forward cleanly beat goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam. Medcom.id noted that the strike sealed the 1-0 scoreline just as the match appeared to be heading for a draw.

The breakthrough rewarded Laskar Sape Kerrab for a resilient defensive display, especially after surviving heavy pressure throughout the second half. Persib made three tactical substitutions at the interval—bringing on Mariano Peralta, Sandy Walsh, and Luciano Guaycochea—to jump-start their offense. Sandy Walsh immediately posed a threat with a cross on the 46th minute, and later delivered an aerial ball that found a player in a free position, whose header was brilliantly tipped away by the goalkeeper, as detailed in match logs.

Persib continued to knock on the door as Uilliam Barros Pereira entered off the bench in the 81st minute to replace Thom Haye. Barros unleashed a powerful strike in the 86th minute that forced another crucial save from the home keeper, who blocked the effort with his foot.

Statistical Dominance Slips Away for Persib Bandung

Despite bossing the match statistically, Maung Bandung failed to turn their territorial advantage into goals. According to match data, Persib commanded 54 percent of possession and registered 14 total shots, putting six of those attempts on target. In contrast, Madura United managed 46 percent possession and recorded eight shots, hitting the target three times.

The visiting side established early control through attempts by Luka Menalo and Adam Alis, while Marc Klok and Balsa Sekulic both missed wide in the first half. Madura United countered sporadically before the break, with Jaja firing just wide of the right post in the 41st minute and Gali Freitas forcing a stop from the goalkeeper shortly thereafter. Persib’s inability to capitalize on these sequences proved costly once Mitkov capitalized on the late defensive lapse.

Madura United Climbs to Third in Super League

The three points from Thursday’s fixture propel Madura United to 13 points from six matches, placing them third in the Super League standings behind leaders Persija Jakarta with 15 points and Dewa United with 14 points. Laskar Sape Kerrab has now accumulated four wins, one draw, and one defeat.

Meanwhile, the defeat leaves Persib Bandung mired in sixth place with 10 points from their first six outings, recording three wins, one draw, and two losses. Maung Bandung sits behind Bali United with 12 points and Persita with 11 points, though Persita has played a game fewer.

Persib briefly attempted a late response by introducing Beckham Putra for Marc Klok in stoppage time, but the hosts ran out the remaining minutes to preserve the clean sheet. Madura United closed out the match by substituting Ahmad Rusadi for Mitkov in the 94th minute before the final whistle sounded at the end of stoppage time.