Malang, MC – Arema Cronus managed to pick up full points in its first match when it hosted Persiba Balikpapan, Sunday (1/5) at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang. In the competition Indonesian Soccer Championship (ISC) 2016, Arema performed impressively from the start in front of tens of thousands of their fanatical supporters, Aremania and Aremanita.
Arema's first goal was scored by team captain Hamka Hamzah when the match had only been going on for 12 minutes. The goal started from a free kick from Srdan Lopicic which was followed by a header from Cristian Gonzales but was still blocked by Persiba Balikpapan's goalkeeper, Yoewanto Beny. It was from this loose ball that Hamka Hamzah then converted into a goal with a hard kick from his left foot.
Trailing 1-0, the opposing team increased their attacks, and several times almost managed to penetrate Arema's defense. Through Okto Maniani and Rahel Ardiansyah, they managed to break through Goran Ganchev's guard, although in the end they were blocked by Arema's goalkeeper, Kurnia Meiga.
The pouring rain did not reduce the tension of the attacks of both teams to try to score a goal. Arema managed to add to their goal tally in the 34th minute through one of the veteran players, Christian Gonzales. The experienced striker managed to take advantage of the scrimmage in front of Persiba Balikpapan's goal, and his tap-in was able to increase the lead to 2-0. This position did not change until the first half ended.
Entering the second half, the high tension of the game was still displayed. Although already leading 2-0, it seemed that Arema was still not satisfied, and the opposing side continued to try to catch up. In the 77th minute, Rahel Ardiansyah almost scored a goal for the team from East Kalimantan if his shot did not hit the goal post.
Until the 90th minute the scoreboard did not change, and Arema managed to pick up full points. According to Arema coach, Milomir Seslija, this victory was also inseparable from the 12th player, namely tens of thousands of Aremania and Aremanita who filled the stadium (Kanjuruhan) that night. (say/yon)
