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With his time in charge of the Indonesian national team almost over, Benny Dollo will try to find solace in domestic football.

Persija Jakarta, for whom he serves as technical director, returns to the Indonesian Super League after a three-week hiatus and travels to rival Persib Bandung on Saturday for a closed-door match at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium.

Sitting in 13th place, Persija needs a victory to kick-start a season that once harbored title hopes.

“The boys know their job. We can’t afford another loss,” Benny said on Friday. “We have to take the points home. The boys have to fight like this is their final match.”

Persija is winless in its last three matches, the last of which was a 1-1 home draw against Pelita Jaya on Dec. 20.

Even without domestic fixtures crowding the schedule, Persija must deal with players’ fatigue. Bambang Pamungkas, Talaohu Abdul Musyafri, Muhamad Ilham, Baihakki Khaizan and Mustafic Fahrudin all recently returned to training after international duty.

The Kemayoran Tigers received a boost with the return of midfielder Agus Indra from the hajj and defender Leo Saputra, Agus from a foot injury. Coach Maman Suryaman played them in a friendly against PS Urakan on Sunday and Benny indicated he was likely to play them to address the team’s lack of creativity.

Saturday’s match is also important for Persib, which is in 12th one season after finishing in third place.

The Blue Princes also have to deal with stars — Budi Sudarsono, Maman Abdurrahman, Eka Ramdani, Hariono and Nova Arianto — coming back from international duty.

“I don’t have any other choice but to bank on them when playing against Persija. I hope they can recover quickly and be 100 percent fit for the match,” Persib coach Jaya Hartono said.

Thailand goalkeeper Sinthaveechai “Kosin” Hathairattanakool only just returned from his national team, but countryman Suchao Nutnum will be absent as he has to finish mandatory military duty in the country.

However, the losses have not dampened Persib’s belief it can avenge its 3-2 home defeat to the capital club last season.

“Persija is still a dangerous team, though I think it’s not as good as it used to be,” Persib assistant coach Yusuf Bachtiar said.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Bontang FC plays Persiwa Wamena, Persiram Samarinda hosts Persipura Jayapura, PSPS Pekanbaru travels to Sriwijaya FC, and PSM Makassar plays Persijap Jepara.

Malang will be a city divided on Sunday when league leader Arema hosts third-place Persema at Kanjuruhan Stadium. Persela Lamongan hosts Persik Kediri in Sunday’s other game. ISL