League 1 Championship Series Final, Madura United Faces Midfield Duo

Rivera and Jaja are the guarantee of Madura United's progress to the final of the League 1 Championship Series. Persib must be alert.

ANTARA/RIZAL HANAFI

The Madura United team took a photo together after competing against Arema FC in a match of the BRI League 1 at the Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java, on Tuesday (April 30, 2024). Madura United successfully qualified for the Championship Series of the 2023/2024 League 1 season after finishing in fourth place with 55 points.

Since making his debut in Indonesia's highest caste competition in Liga 1 2017, the 2023-2024 edition of BRI Liga 1 can be said to be a season full of tests for Madura United. Club founder and President Achsanul Qosasi was involved in a corruption case and Head Coach Mauricio Souza resigned a few days before starting the championship series.

However, whatever sorrow experienced by the club nicknamed "Laskar Sape Kerrab", as long as they still have their two main midfielders, Hugo "Jaja" Gomes and Francisco Rivera, their performance quality on the green field will not be disturbed.

This was proven by Madura's success in reaching the final round of the 2023-2024 League 1 championship series. They have the opportunity to become the first team from Madura Island to become Indonesian champions. Madura could also assert itself as the fifth team from East Java to win the Indonesian League after Persebaya Surabaya, Petrokimia Putra, Persik Kediri and Arema.

We know Persib has quality, but we also have the opportunity to win the title.

In this season, Madura has played a total of 36 matches consisting of 34 regular series matches and two championship series semifinals. Throughout this season, Jaja and Rivera have been irreplaceable figures.

Also read: Why can Persib ward off Bali United's "Kryptonite"?

The presence of both of them seem to help Madura forget a number of problems off the field. On the other hand, they are also not disturbed by the changes in Madura's midfield that occured this season. Having relied on Junior Brandao in the first half of the regular season, Madura recruited Dalberto to fulfill the needs of a lone attacker in a 4-3-3 tactic.

In the semifinal match of the championship series against the regular series champion, Borneo FC, Jaja and Rivera were the figures who determined Madura's superiority 4-2 on aggregate.

Jaja scored a goal through a penalty kick in the first match at Gelora Bangkalan, Madura, East Java. Then, Rivera provided two important assists and Jaja recorded one assist to bring Laskar Sape Kerrab ahead, 3-2, in the second game at Batakan Stadium, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Rivera, who has just had his debut season in the Indonesian League, immediately showed his quality as the best foreign playmaker this season. He performed flawlessly as a servant for Madura's attacking trident.

Also read: Considering the 2023-2024 League 1 Football Champions

ANTARA/RIZAL HANAFI

Madura United footballer Malik Risaldi (center) attempts a backflip kick towards the Arema FC goal during a BRI League 1 match at Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java, on Tuesday (30/4/2024). The match ended in a draw with a score of 0-0.

Since joining Kosovo League club KF Llapi, Rivera has never been replaced with 15 assists that directly led to goals for his teammates in Madura. In addition, he also became the most frequently fouled player in the opponent's penalty box. Rivera has already helped his team earn penalty opportunities three times.

Moreover, the Mexican player is one of the players with the most collection of creative opportunities in the 2023-2024 Liga 1. He has created 63 opportunities for Madura in his 34 appearances.

Rivera's sharp instinct in observing his team-mates' movements is his strength. He seems to have eagle eyes in reading the empty space on the opponent's third of the defense, so he can release key passes that can facilitate his team-mates in scoring goals.

That was evident in the second semifinal match against Borneo. Two assists from Rivera surprised Borneo, who were very aggressive in their attacking play. In Madura's moderate-tempo attacking scheme, Rivera was able to release a pass that split Borneo's defense, giving Dalberto a chance to head the ball, followed by a breakthrough pass that freed Malik Risaldi from Borneo's defenders.

Also read: Penalty Goal Madura United Struggles Regular Champion Borneo FC

KOMPAS/AMBROSIUS HARTO MANUMOYOSO

K-Conk Mania, supporters of Madura United, cheered on their team who were facing Borneo Samarinda in the first leg of the Championship Series Liga 1 at Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Madura Island, East Java, on Wednesday night (15/5/2024).

In addition to his excellent quality, Rivera is also one of the leaders of Madura squad this season. He is the answer to Madura's need for players who can be role models in the locker room. The player with number seven on his back is a figure who leads by example thanks to his performance.

"We know that Persib has quality, but we also have a chance to become champions," said Rivera regarding his team's chances in the ultimate match.

Jaja Transformation

Meanwhile, Jaja has entered his third season playing for Madura. In his three seasons wearing the red and white uniform of Laskar Sape Kerrab, Jaja has undergone a transformation in his position and role in Madura's gameplay strategy.

When he first appeared in the 2021-2022 season, Jaja was known as one of the prolific midfielders in Liga 1. He became Madura's mainstay in attacking the opponents' defense. He was even often placed as a striker in the midst of a lack of goal contributions from forwards, such as Rafael Silva and Alberto "Beto" Goncalves.

Also read: VAR, Hope for Indonesian League 1 Without Controversy

ANTARA/RIZAL HANAFI

Madura United footballer, Hugo Gomes Dos Santos Silva, expressed his joy along with his teammates after playing against Arema FC in the BRI Liga 1 match at the Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java on Tuesday (30/4/2024).

Jaja closed the debut season in Indonesia with a contribution of 15 goals. That consists of 10 goals and 5 assists. No other Madura player was able to match the goal and assist achievements of the Brazilian passport-holding player in the 2021-2022 season.

The role of Jaja has undergone transformation under the leadership of Brazilian coach, Fabio Lefundes, in the 2022-2023 season. He is no longer the main scorer for Madura. He plays deeper in midfield as a defensive midfielder, although occasionally he is given the freedom to help the attack.

The change in position caused Jaja's collection of goals to drastically decrease. He only created six goals and did not produce any assists.

This season, along with other Brazilian coach Mauricio Souza, the sharpness of Jaja is seemingly revived under the interim coach Rachmad Basuki. He plays a more complete role as a midfielder.

Also read: David da Silva's ferocity is difficult to chase

ANTARA/RIZAL HANAFI

Madura United football player Riyatno Abiyoso (left) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal against PSM Makassar in a BRI Liga 1 match at Gelora Bangkalan Stadium, Bangkalan, East Java, on Sunday (21/4/2024). Madura United won with a score of 2-0.

Playing as one of the defensive midfielder duo, Jaja can swap roles with his partner from Singapore, Jacob Mahler. Sometimes Jaja is the anchor who maintains the depth in front of the centre-backs, but he can also be more advanced in a box-to-box midfielder role.

As a result, Hugo could become the deputy top scorer of Madura with eight assists after Rivera. He also created 47 chances. Regarding goals, Jaja has already scored nine times.

The antithesis of the Persib defender

Apart from the two imported midfielders, Madura's advantage in threatening Persib's tight defense lies in the feet of the local wing striker from East Java, Malik Risaldi. The 27 year old player emerged as Madura's main source of goals with a collection of 13 goals.

Malik can bring an antithesis to the two Persib defenders, Nick Kuipers and Alberto Rodriguez. Both players are tough in blocking high balls, but they lack good speed to keep up with speedy attackers.

Also read: Persib Bandung Getting Closer to Third Title

ANTARA/NOVRIAN ARBI

Supporters lit up their mobile phone torches as Persib Bandung won against Bali United in the semifinals of the Championship Series-BRI Liga 1 at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung Regency, West Java on Saturday (18/5/2024).

The absence of two central defenders from Persib actually becomes Malik's advantage. This season, Malik is one of the players with the highest successful dribbling rate in Liga 1. He has recorded 15 successful dribbles.

Malik's ability to carry out successful take-ons or dribbles, then the slick quality of Rivera and Jaja from midfield could present a surprise for Persib, who are more favored.