The Suramadu Derby was the highlight of Sunday’s 2021 Menpora Cup Matchweek 2 action, with Group C table-toppers Persebaya Surabaya and Madura United facing-off at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium to determine who will lead the group outright. The entertaining derby saw the Bajul Ijo claim both bragging rights and pole position of Group C after they edged out the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab 2-1.
Rahmad Darmawan’s Madura United actually drew first blood in the derby after veteran striker Beto Goncalves broke his way through the Persebaya defense and slotted home past Bajul Ijo goalkeeper Satria Tama in the 5th minute. However the goal was chalked off by the referee as Brazilian-born Indonesian striker Beto was offside when he blasted his shot past Satria.
Six minutes later it was Persebaya’s turn to draw first blood and unlike their opponents, their goal was allowed to stood. A Hambali Tolib corner was met by a towering header from Ady Setiawan, which left Madura United goalkeeper Muhammad Ridwan utterly beaten.
Stunned by Persebaya’s opening goal, Madura United immediately pushed forward for an equalizer. In the 14th minute, Beto once again threatened the Persebaya defense, taking advantage of a Marckho Meraudje cross to send a bullet of a header towards the Bajul Ijo‘s goal. However, Satria was alert on his toes and the former Madura United goalkeeper denied his ex-teammate with an excellent save.
Satria was once again called into action in the 37th minute after Madura United were awarded with a free-kick from outside the area. New signing Hugo Gomes curled in an excellent free-kick that went past the Persebaya wall, however the former Brazil youth international, who could count current Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus as a former teammate, was dismayed to see his effort being safely palmed away by Satria.
Madura United kept on the pressure and in the 47th minute the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab finally got themselves their breakthrough. Captain Slamet Nurcahyono launched a powerful rocket from outside the area that blazed past Satria and nestled itself on the top right corner of the goal.
With parity now restored, the two rivals then exchanged blow after blow, neither of them getting the upper-hand over the other. However, in the 72nd minute, Rendi Irwan managed to take advantage of a poor clearance from a Madura United defender to settle the Suramadu Derby with a smartly-taken finish from close range.
No further goals were scored and the match ended 2-1 in favor of Aji Santoso’s Persebaya.
Sunday’s other Group C match saw PS Sleman and Persela Lamongan playing out a 0-0 draw at the Si Jalak Harupat, with Persela goalkeeper Dwi Kuswanto saving a last-minute penalty from Aaron Evans to deny the Super Elja all three points.
Matchweek 2 concludes on Monday with two Group D matches at the Maguwoharjo Stadium, with Bali United taking on group leaders Persiraja Banda Aceh in the first match before Persib Bandung entertain last-placed Persita Tangerang in the late kick-off.