Defying their inconsistent league form, Madura United stormed into the semifinals of the 2024/25 AFC Challenge League with a commanding 3-0 victory over Tainan City at Gelora Joko Samudro in Gresik on Thursday. The Laskar Sapeh Kerrab matched the historic feats of Persipura Jayapura in 2014, Pupuk Kaltim in the 1991/92 season, their own run as Pelita Jaya in 1990/91, and Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian in 1985/86—becoming the latest Indonesian side to reach the last four of an Asian club competition.
Despite sitting at the bottom of the 2024/25 Liga 1 Indonesia table and trailing safety by three points, Madura United entered the tie as favorites, having held Tainan City to a goalless draw in last week’s first leg in Kaohsiung.
With Madura United unable to host their continental matches in Pamekasan or Bangkalan, thousands of fans traveled 130km across the Suramadu Bridge to Gresik in seven chartered buses, ensuring the Laskar Sapeh Kerrab enjoyed passionate support despite playing away from home.
The visitors started the match on the front foot, nearly catching Madura United off guard in the 12th minute when Mohamed Sakkouh set up Matheus Porto at the edge of the box. However, the Brazilian midfielder’s shot lacked power and was easily gathered by goalkeeper Miswar Saputra.
Tainan City squandered another opportunity seven minutes later when Toninho muscled past his marker on the right flank and slipped a precise pass to Porto, only for the latter to miscue his effort.
Madura United gradually found their rhythm in the 20th minute, with Taufik Hidayat latching onto Miljan Skrbic’s pass inside the box and forcing a solid save from Tainan shot-stopper Pan Wen-chieh.
Iran Junior nearly broke the deadlock two minutes later after capitalizing on a poor clearance from Kim Sung-kyum, while Lulinha missed the target from inside the area in the 27th minute.
The Indonesian side’s persistence finally paid off in the 38th minute when Brayan Angulo surged down the left wing before cutting the ball back to Iran, who drilled a low shot into the bottom right corner.
Tainan City struggled to regain momentum and were punished again in the 59th minute when Iran’s defense-splitting pass sent Lulinha through on goal. The Brazilian forward held off his marker before slotting the ball into the bottom left corner.
The visitors came under further pressure in the 74th minute when they were caught on a swift counterattack. Iran turned provider once more, teeing up substitute Youssef Ezzejjari, whose curling effort from outside the box narrowly missed the right post.
Desperate to turn the tide, Tainan City committed players forward, but their attacking intent left them exposed at the back. Their failure to clear Lulinha’s cross from the left proved costly in the 84th minute, as Andi Irfan’s close-range effort deflected off a defender and fell perfectly for Ezzejjari, who volleyed home to emphatically secure Madura United’s place in the semifinal.
In April’s semifinal, Madura United will take on Cambodian champions Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, who advanced after a 7-4 aggregate victory over Myanmar’s Shan United. The two sides previously clashed in the group stage in Mongolia, where Madura United secured a narrow 2-1 win.