In a gripping encounter at Stadion GOR Haji Agus Salim, Arema FC edged out Semen Padang with a 2-1 victory on November 3, 2025. The match was crucial for both teams, each battling their own demons in the Liga 1 standings. While Arema FC sought to solidify their mid-table position, Semen Padang desperately aimed to claw their way out of the relegation zone.
The first half saw Arema FC take control early on. In the 30th minute, Valdeci found the back of the net, giving his team a much-needed boost. Just twelve minutes later, Dalberto doubled Arema's lead with another goal, leaving Semen Padang trailing by two goals at halftime. This was a significant moment for Arema, who had struggled in recent matches but showed resilience and attacking flair against a team that has been struggling all season.
For Semen Padang, this match was yet another chapter in what has been a disheartening campaign. With only four points from nine games prior to this match and sitting at the bottom of the league table, they needed to find some spark. Despite their efforts, they were unable to convert chances into goals during the first half and went into halftime facing an uphill battle.
The second half brought renewed hope for Semen Padang when they were awarded a penalty kick in the 67th minute. Although details about who took the penalty remain unclear, it proved to be a pivotal moment as they managed to score and cut Arema's lead to just one goal. This goal injected life into Semen Padang's performance as they pushed forward in search of an equalizer.
However, despite their best efforts and increased pressure on Arema's defense late in the game, Semen Padang could not find another breakthrough. The final whistle blew with Arema FC celebrating their hard-fought victory while Semen Padang remained rooted at the bottom of the table.
This result leaves Arema FC in 10th place with twelve points from nine matches-a position that reflects their inconsistent form but offers them hope moving forward. Meanwhile, Semen Padang, now with just four points from ten matches (1 win, 1 draw, and 8 losses), faces an uphill battle as they prepare for their next fixture against Pusamania Borneo on November 9.
Reflecting on my pre-match predictions where I suggested that Semen Padang might pull off an upset given their home advantage-well, let's just say I missed that mark entirely! Their struggles continued today despite moments of promise. As both teams look ahead to upcoming matches, it is clear that every point will be critical as they navigate through this challenging season. For Semen Padang fans especially, there remains a flicker of hope that perhaps redemption is still within reach if they can harness today's lessons into future performances.