JAKARTA - Persebaya Surabaya coach, Aji Santoso, spread a message of peace aimed at the two camps of supporters after his team won over Arema FC in the East Java derby, Wednesday night.
The hot party full of prestige between Persebaya vs Arema FC took place on week 27 of Liga 1 2021/2022 at the I Wayan Dipta Stadium, Bali. Asked to be the host, Persebaya won 1-0 over Singo Edan's troops.
The single goal that decided Bajul Ijo's victory was made by Samsul Arif. It was fierce, trying to score a goal in this match was also not easy, as evidenced by Persebaya's execution which only took place in the 79th minute.
After winning the big match, Aji Santoso immediately gave a message of peace to the two supporters. The Malang-born coach emphasized the importance of rivalry without compromising the sense of unity and brotherhood.
In the post-match press conference, Aji Santoso asked for additional time to remind the values of sportsmanship in rivalry. The attitude taken is quite interesting because it is purely his own initiative.
According to the coach, Persebaya and Arema FC have a long history of rivalry in the world of Indonesian football. However, rivalry should not prevent members of the two teams from living in harmony.
"We know that this match is two teams that have a high rivalry, both Arema and Persebaya, but for me that rivalry is only 90 minutes," said Aji Santoso in a press conference after the match.
"Because after all in Arema there are still many former students of mine and secondly I am also very close to coaches such as Siswantoro, Kuncoro and others, even in Bali we also often communicate," he added.
Furthermore, Aji Santoso also advised that the heat of competition is enough for 90 minutes. The rivalry between the two teams should not destroy the friendship and kinship that have existed so far, especially in the supporters' camp where friction is easy.
"Indeed, it was my opponent for 90 minutes but after that we met again, became friends again, had a family again, so in my opinion it was only 90 minutes of rivalry as well as supporters outside who must be able to grow up to maintain togetherness," said Aji Santoso when closing the press conference.
With three points from this match, Persebaya has collected 51 points in the 5th place of the Liga 1. But other than that, this victory has succeeded in making Bajul Ijo break Arema FC's record of 23 unbeaten matches which still remain at the top of the standings.
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