SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Rizky Ridho, captain and defender of Persija Jakarta, was awarded Man of the Match after leading his team to a 2-1 victory against Arema FC at Gelora Soepriadi Stadium on Saturday night (10/26/2024). While he celebrated the hard-fought win, his mood was tempered by the fact that his team failed to secure a clean sheet.

In the ninth week of the BRI Liga 1 2024-25 season, Persija scored two goals through Marko Simic in the 24th minute and Hanif Sjahbandi in the 55th. However, the defense faltered just before halftime, allowing Dalberto to score for Arema in the 42nd minute. 

“We had the determination to win. Alhamdulillah, we managed to take home all three points,” Ridho expressed during the post-match interview.

Despite the positive outcome, Ridho noted that the team’s defensive lapses were a point of disappointment. “My teammates in the backline worked well together. We only regret not being able to achieve a clean sheet,” he stated. This commitment to improvement is evident as he aims to refine the team's defensive strategies for future matches.

Looking ahead, Ridho emphasized that the entire squad is focused on maintaining consistency. “The competition is still long, so we will keep learning. Of course, we target three points in every match,” he declared.

As the season progresses, Persija Jakarta remains determined to build on this victory while addressing their defensive shortcomings. With Ridho at the helm, the team is eager to continue their pursuit of success in the league.

Writer: Fariz Ahmad Luthfi