Arema and Persik Kediri shared the points in a 1-1 draw during the third matchday of the Liga 1 regular season on Thursday morning. The result leaves both sides with a single point from their opening two fixtures after a hard-fought contest at the Arema stadium.
Z. Fariz opened the scoring for Arema in the sixth minute, giving the hosts an early advantage before a VAR decision cancelled what appeared to be a Persik Kediri response nine minutes later. Matheus Blade restored parity with a penalty in the thirtieth minute, and the first half concluded with three yellow cards — two for Arema and none for the visitors.
Arema made four changes across the second half, beginning with A. Farisi in the forty-sixth minute, followed by a double substitution at the hour mark. Persik Kediri introduced Careca in the sixty-ninth minute, while Kiko came off for Arema in the seventieth.
Another VAR intervention in the eighty-seventh minute denied Arema what might have been a winner, and the match finished with both sides having weathered the storm without further incident. D. Salman and M. Djalo picked up yellow cards for Persik Kediri in the closing stages, but neither side could find a decisive moment.
Persik Kediri controlled more of the game with 56 per cent possession and 97 attacks compared to Arema's 85, though the visitors managed only six corners to Arema's seven. Arema registered two yellow cards while Persik Kediri collected three, and neither side received a red card throughout the ninety minutes.
Arema moved to fourth place with four points from two games, extending their unbeaten run to two matches after the previous 3-3 draw with PSM Makassar. Persik Kediri remained in eighth position with three points, unable to build on their opening victory against Garudaayaaks after losing to Deva United earlier in the month.
