East Java Secures Tickets To The XXI/2024 PON Men's Futsal Final After Defeating Banten 3-2

The match between East Java (green) against Banten (white) which ended with a score of 3-2 for East Java. (photo: dock. between)

The East Java men's futsal team managed to advance to the final of the XXI/2024 National Sports Week (PON) National Sports Week (PON) Aceh-Sumut after winning a dramatic victory over Banten with a narrow score of 3-2 in a semifinal match held at the Disporasu Sports Center, Deli Serdang, North Sumatra, Saturday, September 7.

The match took place with high intensity, where East Java had to fight hard to overcome the fierce resistance from Banten. The score had a 2-2 draw towards the end of the match, but Achmad Guntur Ramadhan became a hero for East Java after scoring the winner in the last minute, through a hard kick that the Banten goalkeeper couldn't anticipate.

East Java's goals were scored by Achmad Guntur Ramadhan in the 10th and 39th minutes, and Arya Raja Tri Sentanu in the 23rd minute, respectively. Meanwhile, Banten's goals were scored by Sultan Rafi in the 23rd minute and Hans Farel Muhammad in the 30th minute.

After the match, the coach of East Java, Ambar Supriyanto, revealed that the match against Banten was a very tiring match for his team. Both teams played hard and attacked each other throughout the match.

"This match is very tiring, and we are very grateful for this result because we finally got to the final. The children managed to fight fatigue due to matches after matches that were played at a high tempo, from preliminary to semifinals," said Ambar.

Ambar also praised his team's last goal to ensure victory. "Our last goal was extraordinary. The kids managed to beat their fatigue. Thanks to all the players who fought optimally to secure tickets to the final," he added.

For the final match which will be held on Sunday 8 September, East Java will face the winner between East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and East Kalimantan. Ambar stated that the main focus now is the fitness of the players who are exhausted, and whoever opponents in the final will be a tough challenge.

Meanwhile, Banten coach, Fauza Safii, expressed his sadness over the defeat, which also closed his team's chances of winning a gold medal. "Sad too, but this is a game, someone must lose and win. Even though we had time to turn things around, the final result didn't match expectations. The children played very well, but the opponent's last goal really disappointed us," he said.

The final match of the men's futsal PON XXI/2024 will be held in the same place, where East Java is waiting for the results of another semifinal match between East Nusa Tenggara and East Kalimantan. In the women's sector, the final will bring together the DKI Jakarta team against West Java.