Pusamania Borneo vs Arema FC 2–1
Similar with Persib, Arema so far was performing well only in their first halves (winning 2–0 against Mitra at home and 1–1 at Jakarta against Persiba) and collapsing in the second ones, conceding goals in the center of their defence (mostly by headers). History was about (spoiler alert) to be repeated for them. Pusamania needed the win to climb to the top of the table and wanted to extend both their unbeaten run and keeping a clean sheet (was the only team not to have conceded a goal at that moment). The hosts were better in the first half and were missing chances quite often for the first time this season. Arema was relying on counters and in one of them they managed to score with Thiago, the first goal that did not come for set pieces this season. The Brazilian striker almost scored a goal that would be nominated for Puskas award a bit after when he tried a “rabona” right outside the penalty area that went inches higher over the crossbar. Arema’s best player on the field in that first half (and not only) was Rusdiana, their keeper, in his debut this season, saving them several times from conceding a goal.
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In the second half nothing really changed, hosts kept on pressing for an equalizer and Arema was trying to hit with counter attacks, but the lack of communication between their players stopped them for scoring a second goal (there was not good “final pass”, players looked to score for themselves instead of setting a goal for a teammate). It did not take long for Borneo to score, Titus Bonai was the scorer in the first goal and he could have scored the second as well but couldn’t find the ball.Luckily for Borneo Lerby got it (after a brilliant cross by Umanailo, that had also created the goal for Lerby the previous week from a similar spot) giving the home side the lead. Borneo had chances to score a third one as well but Rusdiana was there when needed. Arema searched for the equalizer entering Rivaldi and Dedid,both strikers and risking to concede more (having replaced midfielders) but Borneo did not let them create almost any chance (instead it was them that came close to score again), and grabbed the win that sent them to the first spot along with Persipura.
Second win in two matches for Antonic that celebrated the goals more intensively than their scorers themselves. He spent most of the match standing next to the field, giving instructions with his marker, transmitting his passion to the players that responded well given the fact that they won despite being a goal behind. Arema on the other hand “managed” to lose for the 3rd time 0–2 at the second half, falling to the last spot on the table (with Mitra and Perseru) and having a big match next weekend facing one of their biggest rivals Persib that comes from a win. If they fail to win again, things will not be looking good at all for them, fans will not accept that so easily, good luck with that!
