Madura United made a bold statement in their quest to finish in the top four of the BRI Liga 1 as they defeated Persija Jakarta in a thrilling match on Sunday. The team from East Java showed their quality and determination as they outplayed the defending champions to secure a vital three points.
The match started off in a fast-paced manner with both teams looking to take control of the game. However, it was Madura United who made the breakthrough in the 25th minute when a well-worked move culminated in a goal from forward Yudo Hartono. The home side continued to dominate proceedings and doubled their lead just before half-time through a strike from Samsul Arif.
Despite being two goals down, Persija Jakarta showed their resilience and fought back in the second half. They pulled a goal back in the 60th minute through a penalty converted by Marko Simic. The visitors continued to push forward in search of an equalizer, but Madura United’s defense held firm to secure a valuable victory.
The win sees Madura United move up to fourth place in the BRI Liga 1 standings, just one point behind third-placed Arema FC. With just a few matches remaining in the season, the team will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a top-four finish.
Speaking after the match, Madura United coach Dejan Antonic expressed his delight at the team’s performance and stressed the importance of finishing in the top four. He praised his players for their determination and commitment, highlighting the team’s strong mentality and unity.
“We are aiming for a top-four finish and today’s win over Persija Jakarta is a big step towards achieving that goal. The players showed great character and fought until the final whistle. We will continue to work hard and give our best in the remaining matches,” said Antonic.
Madura United’s victory over Persija Jakarta has sent a strong message to their rivals in the BRI Liga 1. The team has shown that they have the quality and determination to compete with the best teams in the league and will be a force to be reckoned with in the final stretch of the season. With their eyes set on a top-four finish, Madura United will be looking to build on this win and continue their impressive run of form.
