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n almost two-decade wait ended for Bandung-based Persib after it defeated Persipura, scoring 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the Indonesia Super League final match at Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang on Friday.

The match went to the shoot-out after the two teams played to a 2-2 draw after extra time.

The winning players and officials broke into wild celebrations when Ahmad Jufriyanto sealed the victory for Persib, which last won the title back in 1995.

In the stands their fans expressed unreserved joy after being gripped in suspense for much of the game as Persib looked desperate to end the match early, despite being a man up following the sending-off of Bio Paulin for two bookable offenses.

Advancing to the final after brushing aside Arema Cronus 3-1 in the semifinals, Persib was aware that it would be a tough task against four-time champion Persipura, which held the superiority in the head-to-head record.

The defending champion led early through Ian Louis Kabes but had to pay the price of Bio's expulsion as Persib overturned the score to 2-1. However, with 10 players, Persipura, which had beaten Pelita Bandung Raya in the semifinals, managed to equalize to take the match into extra time.

The team numbers were evened up when Persib had Vladimir Vujovic dismissed from the field for dissent. However, neither team managed to add to the score sheet in extra time.

High tension ensued from the kick-off with Persipura initially taking the offensive.

The effort paid off when Kabes broke into an unmarked area before firing a powerful shot and goalkeeper I Made Wirawan was unable to block the ball. The goal silenced the noisy blue fans.

Persib heightened the pressure to look for an equalizer. They created a string of goal chances but Ferdinand flopped with his header and Konate blew the ball over the bar.

Persipura had the chance to double the lead but Robertino Pugliara had his ball tipped away.

Toward the last minutes of the first half, Persipura was forced to play with ten players after Bio was expelled for a second bookable foul, having tripped Ferdinand to the ground just outside the penalty box.

Captain Firman Utina stepped up for the free kick. His ball hit the bar and in the skirmish that ensued in front of the goal Wanggai deflected the ball into his own net.

Muhammad Ridwan gave Persib a 2-1 lead early in the second half after turning the Persipura defense inside-out before right-footing the ball into the left corner of Dede Sulaiman's net.