Semen Padang Remains in Top Caste, Barito and PSS Drop to League 2

PADANG, KOMPAS — Semen Padang FC will remain in Liga 1 Indonesia for the upcoming season after defeating Arema FC with a score of 0-2 at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang, East Java, on Saturday (24/5/2025). This victory for the club from Padang City, West Sumatra, has resulted in Barito Putera and PSS Sleman being relegated to Liga 2.

The goals for Semen Padang in the 34th week of the BRI Liga 1 2024/2025 match were scored by Filipe Chaby and Muhamad Ridwan in the 72nd and 90+4 minutes, respectively. Meanwhile, the home team Arema failed to score despite having several clear opportunities in front of the goal.

"This has been a very challenging season for us. However, in the end, we were able to survive in Liga 1 through the hard work of all the teams, staff, players, management, and supporters. I am very pleased with this moment," said Semen Padang FC Head Coach Eduardo Almeida in a press statement after the match on Saturday.

This victory propelled Semen Padang up two places, finishing in 13th position in the final standings, surpassing Persis Solo and Madura United, who lost in the final match. Semen Padang accumulated 36 points from nine wins, nine draws, and 16 losses.

The positive results achieved by Semen Padang simultaneously relegated rival clubs, PSS Sleman and Barito, to the second tier of Indonesian league competition. PSS's victory of 0-3 over Madura and Barito's win of 1-2 against PSIS Semarang in the final match seemed to hold no significance.

Both clubs finished in 16th and 17th positions in the final standings of the BRI Liga 1 2024/2025, each accumulating 34 points. These two clubs followed Semarang, which had already been relegated after only gathering 25 points.

As for Arema, the defeat against Semen Padang did not have a significant impact. Arema dropped one position to 10th place in the final standings with a total of 47 points from 13 wins, eight draws, and 13 losses.

The match against Arema is not an easy match for Semen Padang. Although in a better position than Sleman and Barito in the standings, the team nicknamed Kabau Sirah is actually under pressure. On paper, Semen Padang's opponent is relatively tough compared to the two competing clubs.

The pressure continued until the match reached the 71st minute. Despite having several opportunities, Semen Padang struggled to score. Meanwhile, PSS and Barito had taken the lead against their respective opponents with interim scores of 0-2 and 1-2.

Semen Padang finally opened the scoring in the 72nd minute. Cornelius Stewart, who controlled the ball on the left side of Arema's defense, sent a low cross into the penalty area. Unmarked, Chaby met the ball with a shot that soared into the net, unreachable by goalkeeper Lucas Frigeri.

Leading by one goal, Semen Padang tended to adopt a defensive approach. This situation was exploited by Arema to launch attacks on the visitors' defense. However, the clear opportunities obtained by the home team could not be capitalized on. Semen Padang's goalkeeper, Arthur Augusto, also performed well with crucial saves.

One of Arema's best opportunities was created by Salim Tuharea in the 82nd minute. Tuharea, facing the goalkeeper in the penalty area, took a shot at the goal. However, this chance was thwarted by goalkeeper Augusto with a right-hand save.

Although they tended to play defensively, Semen Padang occasionally attempted to seize opportunities through counterattacks. The best chance came during stoppage time and was successfully converted into a brilliant goal by Muhamad Ridwan.

Receiving the ball from his own area, Ridwan dribbled the ball confidently. After passing three opposing players, the striker who recently appeared as a super sub then fired a shot from inside the penalty box and was beyond the reach of the goalkeeper. This final goal also sealed the victory and a ticket to survive for Semen Padang in Liga 1.

"Alhamdulillah, thanks to the teamwork, players, coaches, officials, and everyone, thanks to the support of the Padang community, support from the families of each player, we managed to achieve the target of staying in League 1," said Ridwan.