Persiraja Banda Aceh Secure 3-1 Away Win at Persiku Kudus in Liga 2

Persiraja Banda Aceh produced a composed and clinical away performance to beat Persiku Kudus 3-1 in Indonesian Liga 2 on 30 October 2026. The visitors struck early, absorbed a short spell of home pressure, and then controlled the key moments of the contest at Stadion Wergu Wetan to leave with all three points.

The result gives Persiraja a valuable boost in the Liga 2 campaign, while Persiku Kudus are left to reflect on a home defeat in which they created enough half-chances but lacked the finishing edge to match the visitors’ efficiency.

Match Overview

Persiraja started with intent and looked to press Persiku high in the opening exchanges. The approach paid off in the 18th minute when Muhammad Rifaldi found space on the edge of the penalty area and guided a low effort beyond the home goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Persiku responded well to going behind. The home side began to use the width of the pitch more effectively, and their persistence was rewarded in the 39th minute when Rizky Hidayat finished from close range after a neat move down the right. That equaliser briefly lifted the crowd and gave Persiku hope of going into half-time level.

However, Persiraja regained the lead in first-half stoppage time through Zulfikar, whose header from a well-delivered set piece restored the visitors’ advantage at a crucial moment. Persiku never fully recovered from that setback.

Key Moments

• 18th minute: Muhammad Rifaldi opens the scoring for Persiraja with a composed finish from the edge of the box.
• 39th minute: Rizky Hidayat equalises for Persiku Kudus after a bright attacking move.
• 45+2 minutes: Zulfikar heads Persiraja back in front from a set piece just before the break.
• 78th minute: Rifaldi scores his second of the match to seal the 3-1 victory for Persiraja.

The second half was more controlled than frantic. Persiku pushed players forward in search of an equaliser, but Persiraja defended their box well and used the counter-attack intelligently. The decisive third goal arrived in the 78th minute when Rifaldi timed his run perfectly and finished calmly after a quick transition.

Tactical Story

Persiraja’s shape was disciplined without being passive. They allowed Persiku possession in harmless areas, then looked to win the ball back in midfield and attack quickly through the channels. Their two wide forwards were particularly effective at stretching the home defence, and the midfield trio worked hard to close down second balls.

Persiku, by contrast, struggled to sustain pressure for long periods. They found joy down the right in the first half, but their final ball was inconsistent and their central striker was often isolated. When Persiku did commit numbers forward after the break, Persiraja’s counter-attacking threat grew.

Standout Players

Muhammad Rifaldi was the obvious difference-maker for Persiraja, scoring twice and constantly troubling the Persiku back line with his movement. Zulfikar also deserves credit for his winning header and his defensive work at set pieces, while Persiraja’s goalkeeper made a timely save early in the second half to preserve the lead.

For Persiku Kudus, Rizky Hidayat was the brightest attacking outlet and took his goal well. The home side will need more from their midfield creators in the coming fixtures if they are to turn promising spells into points.

Season Impact

The three points strengthen Persiraja Banda Aceh’s position in the Liga 2 table and underline their ability to win on the road against direct rivals. For Persiku Kudus, the defeat is a reminder that home advantage alone is not enough in a competitive second tier where fine margins decide matches.

Persiraja will look to build on the attacking fluency they showed here, while Persiku must regroup quickly and find greater cutting edge in the final third. The 3-1 scoreline may look comfortable in the record books, but it was Persiraja’s timing and ruthlessness in key moments that truly separated the sides.