The second matchday of the 2024 Piala Presiden was played out over Monday and Wednesday, with Borneo FC Samarinda securing their passage to the knockouts with a last-gasp 1-0 win over Persib Bandung, while Bali United crashed out of the competition after succumbing to a 3-2 loss at the hands of Madura United.
Having both gained wins in their first outing, reigning Liga 1 Indonesia champions Persib and defending Liga 1 Indonesia premiers Borneo clash at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in a match many saw as Group A’s defining battle.
As expected, the match was charged with intensity throughout the first half. Persib made an early impact in the second minute with a header from David da Silva. Unfortunately, the ball went over the crossbar.
Dimas Drajad then went up next shortly afterwards, however the new signing, brought in by Persib from local rivals Persikabo 1973, saw his attempt being saved by Nadeo Argawinata in the Borneo goal.
In the closing minutes of the first half, both teams engaged in a back-and-forth exchange of attacks. Despite this, the score remained 0-0 at half-time.
The second half was equally competitive, just as expected from a clash of such nature. Both teams exchanged attacks, but none of the chances were converted into goals during regular time.
However, Borneo managed to nick the winner in the second minute of injury time. Berguinho broke the deadlock with a powerful strike, capitalizing on a cross from Habibi Jusuf to seal not only all three points, but also progression out of Group A.
Group A’s early kick-off saw an epic being played out with Persis Solo drawing 2-2 with PSM Makassar. Former PSM star Ramadhan Sananta had given Persis a 2-0 lead in half-time with his brace, which included a strike after 26 seconds, however, PSM fought back in the second half. The Juku Eja managed to pull themselves level thanks to goals from Yuran Fernandes in the 59th minute and Abdul Rahman’s equalizer in the 68th minute.
Switching over to Group B’s matches on Wednesday, Bali United’s hopes of reaching the Piala Presiden knockouts were dashed after Madura United scored two late goals to claim all three points, piling on even more pressure on beleaguered head coach Stefano Cugurra Teco.
Noriki Akada, freshly-signed from relegated Liga 2 Indonesia side PSDS Deli Serdang, gave Madura United the lead at the Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium after just 21 seconds. The Japanese attacking midfielder managed to fire a shot from close-range that caught Bali United goalkeeper Adilson Maringa off-guard.
It didn’t take Bali United long to equalize, however. A foul within the area on Irfan Jaya in the 8th minute led to a penalty being awarded to Bali United, which was superbly dispatched by Mitsuru Maruoka.
Youngster Made Tito Wiratama thought the he had made it 2-1 to Bali United in the 29th minute, however the referee annulled his effort as the midfielder was in a offside position during the goal’s buildup.
Tito, however, had his say in Bali United’s actual second goal. Scored in the third minute of stoppage time, the buildup towards the goal saw Tito swinging in a cross from the left flank, which was headed into Dikri Yusron’s goal by Jean Befolo Mbarga.
Holding a slender 2-1 lead going into the second half, Bali United pressed hard as they seek to kill the game off.
In the 49th minute, the Serdadu Tridatu thought that they had gone 3-1 up after Everton Nascimento had taken advantage of a superb Mbarga pass to rifle home past Yusron. However, the referee chalked off the Brazilian’s goal as he was adjudged to be in an offside position when receiving the ball from Mbarga.
The incident allowed Madura United to grow their influence into the game, with the likes of Jordy Wehrmann and Maxuel spearheading the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab‘s attack, only for an inspired Maringa to deny them the equalizer.
Maringa’s resistance was broken in the 85th minute, though, after Maxuel smashed home the rebound after former Arema FC goalie Maringa had gone out of his post to deny a shot from Lulinha.
Two minutes later Maxuel turned things around for Madura United, latching onto a Taufany Muslihuddin through pass to rifle in the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab‘s third goal.
Drama then broke out in the final minutes of the match after Kenzo Nambu thought that he had scored a late equalizer for Bali United, only for the referee to once again cancel out the goal. Through a VAR review, Kenzo was adjudged to have been in an offside position whilst scoring the equalizer.
With their lead secured, Madura United kept their chances of qualifying into the knockouts alive, while Bali United saw their chances going up in smokes.
Group B’s late kick-off saw another dramatic encounter as Arema and Persija Jakarta played out an entertaining 2-2 draw. Goals from Salim Tuharea and Charles Lokolingoy had placed the Singo Edan in the driver’s seat, however two late goals from former player Gustavo Almeida ensured that the Macan Kemayoran would share some of the spoils.