Arema FC Ready To Defend The Title Of Champion In The 2025 President's Cup

JAKARTA The defending champion Arema FC expressed full readiness to defend the title in the 2025 Presidential Cup pre-season tournament which will be held at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung Regency, West Java, from 6 to 13 July 2025.

Arema FC assistant coach, Andre Caldas, confirmed that his team had undergone intensive preparations for almost two weeks in Malang. He said the title won last year was a motivation as well as a big responsibility for the team nicknamed Singo Edan.

"So last year's Presidential Cup champions put us in great responsibility because we want to do a great job here and repeat what Arema did last year," Andre said at a press conference in Bandung, Saturday, July 5.

According to Andre, in addition to aiming for the title, the 2025 President's Cup will also be a place to evaluate and test various game strategies. He wanted to see how all players performed in different systems and positions.

"We want to see all the players, both foreign and local. How they play in different systems, and what they can give Arema," he explained.

To date, Arema FC has undergone six intensive training sessions and will continue the preparation program until the inaugural match begins. Andre stressed that there was no difference in the treatment between local and foreign players in the squad.

"All the players are very positive. At Arema, there is no difference between foreign and local players. Arema is only one, and we are one family," he said.

Meanwhile, Arema FC captain Johan Ahmad Alfarizi also expressed similar optimism. Even though the new head coach joined at the end of the preparation period, according to him all the players had prepared themselves optimally.

"Maybe the same as the coach said, we have been prepared for about three weeks. The coach came on the last days. God willing, we are ready for the President's Cup," said Alfarizi.

With the high spirit and cohesiveness of the team, Arema FC has ambitions to repeat last year's success and again lift the President's Cup trophy.