Oxford United… 6
(Harris 3’ & 30’, Helik 43’, Bradshaw 50’, Placheta 57’, De Keersmaecker 68’)
Indonesia All Star… 3
(Simanjuntak 14’, Dwi Febrianto 76’, Runtukahu 80')
Gelora Bunf Karno, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sunday 6 July 2025
Oxford United stepped onto Asian soil for the very first time to kick start the 2025/26 season, defeating Indonesia All Star 6-3 at the GBK Stadium in Jakarta.
Taking part in the annual Piala President’s Cup, United played in front of more than 40,000 of supporters at the 77,000-capacity national stadium, in what was a unique start to pre-season.
With Indonesian national team players Ole Romeny and Marselino Ferdinan in Gary Rowett’s team, the local support came out in force to see their heroes and see some new ones in yellow.
Amidst a sea of Indonesia shirts, there were plenty of dots of yellow around the bowl of an arena, both donned by Indonesians and some hardy OX4 regulars who made the long journey east.
Gary Rowett said pre-match that he wanted his team to go out and win the President’s Cup, but most important was getting minutes in the legs ahead of another intense Championship campaign. The Head Coach made sure of this by fielding a different team in both halves, with only Matt Ingram in goal playing the full 90.
After a long opening ceremony and national anthem, the game got underway, and it took just three minutes to get on the scoresheet. Matt Phillips strode forward from right back and played an outstanding ball across the box for Mark Harris, and the Wales international tapped home for the first goal of the season.
It was all United after this, with Harris pulling a shot just wide minutes later, and despite the pressure it was the Indonesian team who scored next. Unfortunately, after doing so well at one end, Phillips’ back pass to Ingram missed the targe and striker Riko Simanjuntak slotted into an empty net.
Romeny has become a national superstar having scored two goals in his two appearances at this stadium and he was out to put on a show, entertaining the crowd with keepy-ups, then almost scoring with a one-on-one on 26 minutes.
Fresh after signing a new contract, Harris would get back on the scoresheet to make it 2-1 on 30 minutes. This time, he was played in behind by Stan Mills, with Harris lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper and easily passing the ball home.
Michal Helik has not been shy of getting amongst the goals since signing for Oxford United and in his first game of the season, the Poland defender got off the mark. A cross from Louie Sibley on the left found the towering defender at the back pots to double the lead with his head.
Eight changes were made at the break and two of the new boys got amongst the act quick into the second period. Tom Bradshaw scored to make it 4-1 inside the first five minutes, smashing home from close range after a fortunate break of the ball.
Then on 57 minutes, Przemyslaw Placheta scored the goal of the game, running in from the right and curling a stunning strike into the top left corner from 25 yards.
Well, Placheta thought he had scored the goal of the game, but that was rivalled by debut boy, Brian De Keersmaecker. In his first game in yellow, the Belgian midfielder unleashed a rocket with his left foot which almost took the net away when it hit the back of the net from outside the box.
Indonesia All Star’s did pull a goal back with 15 minutes remaining, Joshua Johnson slipping on the ball inside the box which allowed Rizky Dwi Febrianto the chance to score. With 10 minutes left, Indonesia All Star got another back, with Eskel Runtunkahu heading past Ingram.
In the end, it was an extremely worthwhile evening, as Romeny, Marselino and Oxford United put on a show, and took the first steps to building for the new season. Alongside this, it gave many of United's Academy players minutes in the first team.
Next up, a trip to Bandung to take on Arema FC on Thursday.
FIRST HALF: Ingram, Phillips, Kioso, Helik, Currie, Sibley, Brannagan, Goodrham, Romeny, Mills, Harris.
SECOND HALF: Ingram, ter Avest, Moore, Kioso (Lacey 58’), Currie (McIntyre 58' (Snowden 87’)), Johnson, De Keersmaecker, Romeny (O’Donkor 58’), Marselino, Placheta, Bradshaw.
Attendance: 41,065
