Persik Kediri Name 30-Man Squad, Focus on Match-by-Match Liga 1 Campaign

KEDIRI — Ahead of the 2025/26 Liga 1 season kicking off this August, Persik Kediri have officially unveiled their 30-man squad and announced a match-by-match strategy to guide their campaign.

Club owner Arthur Irawan emphasized the team’s steady improvement throughout pre-season.

“The players are getting stronger, fitter, and more familiar with our playing style week by week,” Arthur said during a press briefing on Monday.

Management backs coach and steady progress

Arthur expressed optimism about the team’s development while acknowledging there’s still work to be done. He reaffirmed full support for head coach Ong Kim Swee, stating:

“There’s still a lot to improve, but I personally — and the management — believe in the coach’s vision. Our target is to do better than last season by staying focused on each match.”

Foreign and local talent form team backbone

Persik have brought in a mix of foreign and domestic players — all chosen based on the coach’s evaluation. The club hopes this blend will foster growth, with local players learning from their international teammates to create a more competitive squad.

Strong start in pre-season

The “Macan Putih” kicked off their pre-season positively with a 2-0 victory over Asia Warriors FC on Sunday, July 20, at Stadion Brawijaya, Kediri — despite playing with 10 men from the 40th minute.

New Portuguese signing Pedro Matos was the standout performer, scoring both goals in the 65th and 76th minutes.

Coach Ong Kim Swee used the opportunity to experiment with tactics, fielding two entirely different lineups in each half.

30-man squad announced for Liga 1

The club also formally introduced its 30-man squad. Here’s the breakdown by position:

Goalkeepers:
M. Zidane Alfareza, M. Rizqi Abhirama, Husna Al Malik Riwani Saputra, Leonardo Navacchio

Defenders:
Yoga Adiatama, Zikri Ferdiansyah, Muhamad Firli, Vava Mario Yagalo, Yusuf Meilana Fuad Burhan, Novri Setiawan, Gavin Kwan Adsit, Lucas Gama Moreira, Francisco Pereira Carneiro

Midfielders:
Aulia Ramadhan Lubis, Rifqi Ray Farandi, Ady Eko Jayanto, Krisna Bayu Otto Kartika, Syahrian Abimanyu, Mochamad Supriyadi, Irkham Mila, Pedro Miguel Serra Matos, Imanol Garcia, Telmo Ferreira Castanheira

Forwards:
Wigi Pratama, Hugo Samir, Faris Aditama, Yandi Sofyan, M. Khanafi, Sylvain Justin Atieda, Ezra Walian

Optimism builds ahead of Liga 1 season

With a deep squad and clear strategy, Persik Kediri are determined to surpass last season’s achievements. Emphasizing consistency and resilience, the team is embracing each fixture as a new challenge.

“We’re moving step by step. If we stay disciplined and united, we can go far this season,” Arthur added.

With high expectations from fans and management, Persik Kediri are hoping their match-by-match mindset leads to long-term success in the 2025/2026 Liga 1 campaign.