Aceh – Indonesia, Persiraja Banda Aceh coach, Muhammad Ridwan, commended his players’ hard work following a 3-1 victory over PSIS Semarang in the continuation of the 2026/2027 Pegadaian Championship at Jatidiri Stadium on Friday night, October 9, 2026.
Ridwan stated that the victory was the result of thorough preparation and the players’ relentless efforts over the past week. He acknowledged that PSIS was no easy opponent, especially when playing in front of their home crowd.
“We predicted that this match wouldn’t be easy. We know PSIS has a good squad, especially when playing at Jatidiri with their supporters behind them. The energy they bring to every match is immense,” Ridwan said after the game.
Despite facing a tough opponent, Ridwan expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. According to him, his squad successfully executed their match preparations and demonstrated maximum effort on the pitch.
“I congratulate the players who fought with all their might and gave their absolute best to compete. Alhamdulillah, we were finally able to win today’s match,” he said.
The win effectively ended Persiraja’s negative trend of four consecutive defeats. Ridwan noted that his squad’s determination in recent matches proved that the team has what it takes to compete.
In his view, match results do not always reflect the effort and determination displayed by the players, including when Persiraja faced Semen Padang despite being reduced to 10 men.
“We saw what the players put in, both in training and during matches. In truth, based on their performance, they didn’t deserve to lose. We saw the determination they showed,” he added.
Ridwan mentioned that the players’ enthusiasm during preparations against PSIS served as a vital asset in snapping their losing streak. The coaching staff had even prepared a specialized training program specifically for this match.
“During our preparations leading up to today’s game, the players were extremely enthusiastic throughout all training sessions. We indeed designed special training drills for this match,” he explained.
Ridwan also emphasized that the victory over PSIS carried no personal sentiment, despite him hailing from Semarang. For him, the most important aspect was the team’s fight to secure a positive result.
He described the victory at Jatidiri Stadium as a turning point for Persiraja after going through a difficult period. Ridwan dedicated the win to the people of Aceh.
“This victory is also a birthday gift for one of our staff members, the General Secretary. Furthermore, it is a gift for the people of Aceh,” Ridwan concluded.***