On The Sidelines Of The Match, Malang Police Chief Was Named An Honorary Citizen Of Aremania

Malang Police Chief Grand Commissioner Adjutant Ferli Hidayat has been named an honorary citizen of the Arema FC/Photo: Antara

MALANG - Malang Police Chief, Grand Commissioner Adjutant Ferli Hidayat has been named an honorary citizen of the Arema FC football club or commonly known as Aremania.

Ferli was named an honorary citizen of Aremania on the sidelines of the trial match between Arema FC and PSIS Semarang which was held at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, East Java, on the evening of Sunday, May 22.

“Thank you Aremania colleagues. I am not a native of Malang, but there is no reason for me not to love Arema," said Ferli, quoted from a written statement received by ANTARA in Malang, Monday, May 23.

Ferli's coronation as an honorary citizen was marked by the draping of a club scarf nicknamed Singo Edan to the Malang Police Chief by Aremania representatives.

On that occasion, Ferli also greeted Aremania at the Kanjuruhan Stadium by circling the outside of the field. The match was a trial match that brought live spectators for the first time, after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Greetings one soul, Arema! Greetings from one soul, Arema," said Ferli, which was greeted with applause from the fans at Malang's Kanjuruhan Stadium, quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, Arema FC Media Officer, Sudarmaji added, the distribution of the Arema scarf, which is dominated by blue, to the Malang Police Chief is a form of appreciation for Aremania.

He revealed that one of the reasons for making the Malang Police Chief an honorary citizen of Aremania was because of Ferli's love for Arema.

"Please Aremanita, give the scarf to the Malang Police Chief who loves Aremania so much," he said.

On that occasion, Ferli was also given a scarf from the representative of SIS Semarang, Panser Biru. This is a form of appreciation to the Malang Police Chief who has facilitated and welcomed the arrival of the Blue Panzer at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in the trial match.

In the trial match, Arema FC won the match with a score of 2-0. Dendi Santoso scored the two winning goals for the team nicknamed the Mad Singo in the 8th and 9th minutes.

The two goals started with Arema FC's left wing attack which was able to tear the goal of Laskar Mahesa Jenar, which was escorted by Fajar Setya.

Arema FC actually has a golden opportunity to add a goal from the penalty spot. In the 23rd minute the hand of one of the PSIS players touched the ball in the penalty box.

However, Singo Edan striker, Dedik Setiawan failed to execute the opportunity to increase Arema FC's advantage.