Dalberto Brings Arema FC to a 2–1 Victory over Bhayangkara

Arema FC successfully secured an important victory in the third week of the Indonesian Super League 2025/26 season by defeating Bhayangkara FC with a narrow score of 2–1 at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Friday, August 22, 2025. This match not only presented drama on the field but also brought several interesting notes that made the match even more worth discussing. From Dalberto’s significant role as the match-winner to the fact of the low number of spectators in the stadium, this match gave a distinctive color to Arema’s early season journey.

Dalberto Becomes Arema’s Hero

Arema’s foreign player, Dalberto, was the main highlight of this match. He scored all of Singo Edan’s goals, including the winning goal from the penalty spot in extra time of the second half. The penalty was awarded after Arema’s attack forced Bhayangkara’s defense to commit a foul in the forbidden box.

Dalberto’s late goal not only ensured Arema brought home a full three points but also affirmed his status as the club’s main striker this season. With his sharpness, he became the answer to Arema’s need for a consistent goal-scoring striker. Aremania certainly hopes Dalberto can maintain this performance throughout the season so that the team remains competitive at the top of the standings.

“Home” Match with Few Spectators

Although Arema secured a victory, there was one quite surprising note. This match at Kanjuruhan Stadium was only attended by around 840 spectators, the lowest number for Arema throughout the 2025/26 season so far. This figure is starkly contrasted with the stadium’s capacity and the large enthusiasm of Aremania in previous matches.

Several factors are suspected to have influenced the low attendance. First, the match schedule being held on a weekday made it difficult for some supporters to attend. Second, Arema’s fluctuating performance in recent seasons might have made some fans hesitant to come directly. However, the low number of spectators remains a major concern, considering Arema is known to have a fanatic supporter base that usually fills the stadium.

This phenomenon is homework for the club management. In addition to maintaining performance on the field, they also need to think about how to regain the trust and enthusiasm of the spectators so that the stadium can roar again.

This match was also special because it was the first meeting between Arema and Bhayangkara in 535 days or about one and a half years. The two teams last met in early 2024, so this duel felt full of anticipation.

The long gap between meetings made the match tight from the start. Bhayangkara tried to prove themselves despite playing as an away team, while Arema wanted to assert dominance in front of their home crowd. High intensity was seen from the many physical duels and attacking strategies displayed by both teams.

Arema’s narrow victory was an ideal closing for this prestigious match. Besides extending Singo Edan’s positive trend, this result also showed that the rivalry between the two clubs remains strong despite rarely meeting in recent times.

Interestingly, even though Arema won this time, the record of the two teams’ meetings in the last five matches was actually quite balanced. Before this match, Arema and Bhayangkara both had two wins, while one other match ended in a draw. With a 2-1 victory at Kanjuruhan, Arema managed to slightly lead in the latest head-to-head record.

This balanced record proves that the Arema vs. Bhayangkara match is indeed difficult to predict. Both teams have their own strengths, and the final result is often determined by small details such as the effectiveness of finishing or penalty moments, as happened this time. Three points from this match are very important for Arema, who are trying to stick to the top of the Indonesian Super League standings. This victory keeps their position competitive after the third week and also boosts the team’s morale for the next match.

For Bhayangkara, this defeat extended a tough start to the season. They are still struggling to find consistency in their game, especially in the defensive line, which again failed to maintain focus in the final minutes. If they do not improve soon, their position could worsen at the bottom of the table.

The Arema FC vs. Bhayangkara FC match on August 22, 2025, presented various interesting stories. Dalberto became the hero with his two goals, including a dramatic penalty in injury time. But behind that victory, another fact actually stole attention, namely the low number of spectators who attended Kanjuruhan—the lowest throughout this season.

In addition, this duel also marked the first meeting between the two teams after 535 days, adding to the prestigious atmosphere on the field. With this result, Arema managed to slightly lead in the latest meeting record and maintain their position in the standings.

In short, this match showed how Indonesian football is not just about the score on the scoreboard, but also about the stories behind it—from the role of key players, the stadium atmosphere, to the rivalry that continues to live on despite rarely meeting.