Arema FC opened their 2026 Indonesian President Cup campaign with a confident 2-0 victory over Brunei's DPMM FC at a packed stadium on 31 July 2026. The win gave the Singo Edan a perfect start in the group stage, offering head coach Joko Susilo plenty of positives as his side builds toward the new season.

Match Overview

From the opening whistle, Arema FC controlled the tempo. Playing in front of their passionate supporters, the home side pressed high and forced DPMM FC into early errors. The visitors, competing as a guest club in the Indonesian President Cup, sat deep and looked to hit on the counter, but Arema's midfield dominance made it difficult for them to sustain any attacking momentum.

The breakthrough arrived before the half-hour mark. A well-worked move down the right flank ended with a precise finish from Dedik Setiawan, who calmly slotted past the DPMM goalkeeper to make it 1-0. The goal settled any early nerves and allowed Arema to play with greater freedom.

Key Moments

• 27' - Arema FC 1-0: Dedik Setiawan converts a low cross from the right to break the deadlock.
• 63' - Arema FC 2-0: Substitute winger Rizky Dwi doubles the lead with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
• 78' - DPMM close call: The Brunei side hit the crossbar with a header from a corner, their best chance of the match.
• 85' - Missed chance: Arema nearly added a third, but the DPMM keeper made a sharp save to deny a point-blank header.

Tactical Story

Arema FC lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, with full-backs pushing high to create overloads in wide areas. The midfield double pivot of Arkhan Fikri and Jayus Hariono ensured DPMM had little time on the ball, while the attacking trio constantly rotated positions to confuse the visitors' back line.

DPMM FC, coached by a defensive-minded setup, rarely threatened in open play. Their best moments came from set-pieces, but Arema's central defenders were alert and cleared their lines effectively. The two-goal margin flattered no one — Arema were simply the better side over the 90 minutes.

Standout Players

• Dedik Setiawan: Opened the scoring and led the line with intelligence, holding up play and bringing teammates into the attack.
• Rizky Dwi: Changed the game after coming on, scoring the decisive second goal with a composed strike.
• Arkhan Fikri: Controlled the midfield tempo and won the ball back repeatedly in dangerous areas.

President Cup Context and Season Impact

The Indonesian President Cup is a key pre-season tournament for clubs across the country, offering competitive minutes ahead of the domestic league season. For Arema FC, this victory is more than just three points — it builds momentum and confidence within the squad after a period of transition.

DPMM FC, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly. Despite the loss, their disciplined defensive display suggests they can be competitive in the group if they sharpen their attacking edge. For Arema, the focus now shifts to their next group-stage fixture, where a similar performance would all but secure their place in the knockout rounds.

With a clean sheet and two goals, Arema FC have sent an early message to their rivals in the 2026 Indonesian President Cup: the Singo Edan are ready.