“Whether in triumph or struggle, the fans remain present, standing by the club through every moment.”
“Being inside Maguwoharjo Stadium feels like the world outside doesn’t exist,” says Jafar, an Indonesian native and lifelong PSS Sleman fan.
It’s a sentiment familiar to many supporters who stand shoulder to shoulder with the Brigata Curva Sud (BCS), one of the country’s most renowned ultras groups.
Jafar has been documenting his love of PSS Sleman and life through the eyes of the Brigata Curva Sud, exploring how football in Indonesia extends far beyond the pitch, becoming a vital part of local identity and culture.
PSS Sleman, a club based in Yogyakarta’s Sleman Regency, might not boast the silverware of Indonesia’s football giants, but its significance lies elsewhere.
“Before Brigata Curva Sud, PSS wasn’t really an attractive destination for players,” Jafar explains. “Now, players join because of the atmosphere we create. They want to be part of it.”
That atmosphere is electric. Despite the club spending years outside the top tier, PSS consistently drew the second-highest attendance in Indonesia, trailing only Persija Jakarta—a club from the capital with nearly double the stadium capacity.
Unfortunately, Maguwoharjo has been under renovation, forcing PSS into exile since last season. The club has had to adopt Manahan Stadium in Solo as a temporary home, which is two hours away from Sleman.
This displacement has undeniably affected the team’s performance, with results suffering throughout this period away from home.
What sets BCS apart is their unwavering support: standing, singing, and driving the team forward for the full 90 minutes, regardless of the scoreline.
But BCS is more than just noise in the stands. Jafar describes how the group’s influence reaches deep into the community.
During difficult periods for the club, they provided financial support, launched the ‘No Ticket, No Game’ campaign to promote ethical fandom, and even rewarded players with bonuses for strong performances.
The Curva Sud Shop, their merchandise store, has sponsored the club in the past, showing how fan culture directly sustains the team.
Beyond football, BCS thrives in Sleman’s cultural landscape, particularly through music. “Many of our members are musicians or aspiring ones,” Jafar says.
Bands formed within the group now play regular gigs, culminating in the annual Curva Sud Fest—a celebration of music, football, and local identity.
Yet, Indonesian football faces challenges. Rising ticket prices, away travel bans, and midweek fixtures have made attending games more difficult.
“Football here is growing, but often at the expense of its most dedicated fans,” Jafar notes. Still, the passion remains, anchored in places like Maguwoharjo Stadium.
Its trackless design brings fans right to the edge of the pitch, creating an intimidating cauldron for visitors. “Until the renovations are done and we can return, supporting PSS feels incomplete,” he admits. “Maguwoharjo is where we belong.”
Jafar project doesn’t just document fandom; it highlights how clubs like PSS shape local identity. “Before PSS’s rise, people would just say they were going to Yogyakarta. Now they say Sleman,” he says with pride. “The club put this region on the map.”
As for why Brigata Curva Sud often blurs faces in their photos? “It’s about privacy and protection,” Jafar explains. “The police and media have misused images before. We look after our own.”
Through Jafar’s work, it’s clear that Indonesian football culture is about more than the game itself. It’s community, resilience, and pride—something felt most intensely, as he says, “when you’re standing in the Curva Sud, singing with everyone around you, knowing you’re part of something bigger.”
The Atlantic Dispatch sat down with Jafar as we learned more about PSS Sleman and life with the Brigata Curva Sud.
WHAT SETS US APART IS OUR SUPPORT
It is fair to say, that Brigata Curva Sud generates one of the most electrifying atmospheres in Indonesian football.
Our attendance records consistently rank second in the country, even during the club’s time in the second division.
The only club surpassing us in attendance is Persija Jakarta, a club from the capital with a stadium nearly twice the capacity of ours.
What sets us apart is our support, standing and singing for the full 90 minutes, regardless of the match outcome.
This passion has not only elevated the matchday experience but has also significantly influenced the club’s appeal to players.
Before our foundation, PSS was not considered an attractive destination for players. However, since our foundation, numerous players have explicitly stated that Brigata Curva Sud was a key factor in their decision to join the club.
What sets us apart from other supporter groups in Indonesia is that our dedication extends far beyond the pitch. We are not just a group of fans, we are an integral part of the club’s journey, both in times of triumph and adversity.
Additionally, we have actively provided financial incentives to players, rewarding them with fresh funds when they achieve a strong run of results, reinforcing our direct investment in the team’s success.
THE BACKBONE OF THE SPORT
Indonesia is undeniably a football-loving nation, despite not being among the most decorated in terms of international achievements.
The passion for the sport runs deep, with football serving as a unifying force across different regions and communities.
Supporter groups play a crucial role in shaping the country’s football culture. While there were ultras groups that existed before Brigata Curva Sud, it is fair to say that BCS played a significant role in popularising the ultras movement in Indonesia.
We introduced an alternative form of support, showing that there are ways to back the team beyond the traditional Indonesian ‘Mania’ supporter style.
Football in Indonesia continues to grow, but often at the expense of its dedicated fan base. Several policies have made it increasingly difficult for regular supporters to experience the game as they once did.
The ill-advised away travel ban has restricted fan movements, rising ticket prices have made matches less accessible, and increasingly strict stadium entry requirements add further barriers. Additionally, scheduling matches during weekday work hours has made attendance a challenge for many.
While these changes have made Indonesian football a more marketable and polished product for neutral fans and commercial interests, they have also made the experience far less accommodating for the loyal, stadium-going supporters who form the backbone of the sport.
Maguwoharjo Stadium is our home. There is simply no substitute for the experience of being there. Being inside the stadium feels like the world outside doesn’t exist, perhaps an exaggeration, but that is truly how a lot of us feel.
What makes Maguwoharjo unique is its design. Unlike most football stadiums in Indonesia, it does not have a running track around the pitch.
This allows the stands to be much closer to the field, creating an intense and intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams while providing an immense boost for our own.
PSS Sleman is a unique club in many ways, but perhaps its greatest impact has been putting Sleman on the map. While Yogyakarta has long been a well-known destination, many people were previously unaware of Sleman as a distinct region.
Thanks to PSS, this has changed—now, when people visit, they specifically say they are going to Sleman rather than just referring to Yogyakarta as a whole. The club has given the region its own identity and recognition on a national and international scale.
Beyond geography, PSS holds a deep emotional significance for its supporters. Our love for the club has made it a source of immense pride for us.
Despite Sleman being a relatively small region in terms of size and population, it boasts one of the most passionate and dedicated fanbases in Indonesia, which is a rarity in Indonesian football.
PSS may not be among the country’s most decorated clubs, but it is undoubtedly one of the most well-supported. While many clubs can also easily fill their stadiums during successful periods, PSS enjoys massive support regardless of results or league position.
Whether in triumph or struggle, the fans remain present, standing by the club through every moment.
ALL OF OUR THANKS TO JAFAR SHODIQ AND @RADHIFAN13