Deltras Sidoarjo 3-3 Persis Solo FC: Late Equaliser Caps Six-Goal Classic

Deltras Sidoarjo and Persis Solo FC shared six goals in a breathless 3-3 draw at Stadion Gelora Delta Sidoarjo on Sunday, a result that will be remembered for its intensity, momentum swings and late drama.

Deltras raced into a two-goal lead inside the first half hour, but Persis Solo responded with a stirring comeback that turned the match on its head. The visitors led 3-2 with time running out before Deltras found a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time, ensuring both sides took a point from one of the most entertaining matches of the Indonesian Liga 2 round.

Match overview

The home side made a dream start and took the lead in the 9th minute through Yudha Pratama, who calmly finished after a quick exchange on the edge of the area. Deltras doubled their advantage in the 27th minute when Rendi Saputra converted from close range following a well-worked move down the right.

Persis Solo needed a response and found one just before half-time. Ilham Ramadhan pulled a goal back in the 44th minute with a low strike that beat the goalkeeper at the near post. The visitors carried that momentum into the second half and equalised in the 58th minute through Arya Bima, who finished a sweeping counterattack. Persis then went ahead in the 71st minute when Ramadhan converted a penalty, but Deltras refused to accept defeat and Fauzan Akbar levelled the score in the third minute of stoppage time.

Key moments

• 9th minute: Yudha Pratama gives Deltras Sidoarjo an early lead.
• 27th minute: Rendi Saputra doubles the home side’s advantage.
• 44th minute: Ilham Ramadhan pulls one back for Persis Solo FC.
• 58th minute: Arya Bima completes the comeback with a composed finish.
• 71st minute: Ilham Ramadhan converts a penalty to put Persis 3-2 ahead.
• 90+3 minutes: Fauzan Akbar scores a dramatic equaliser for Deltras.

Tactical story

Deltras began with a high defensive line and aggressive pressing, which forced Persis into mistakes and created the platform for their early goals. The home side’s wide players stretched the pitch, and their quick combinations in the final third caused problems throughout the first half. However, that attacking approach left space behind the defence, and Persis gradually exploited it as the game opened up.

Persis Solo adjusted after the break by pushing their midfield higher and targeting the channels between Deltras’ centre-backs and full-backs. The switch transformed the contest, allowing the visitors to dominate possession for a spell and score twice in quick succession. Deltras responded by increasing their tempo and throwing extra bodies forward, a gamble that paid off when Akbar found space in the box in stoppage time. The match was a showcase of attacking football, but both coaches will be concerned by the defensive gaps on show.

Standout performers

Ramadhan was the standout player for Persis Solo, scoring twice and driving his team forward during their comeback. Bima’s equaliser was the reward for a tireless second-half display. For Deltras, Pratama and Saputra were influential in the first half, while Akbar’s late goal underlined his composure under pressure. Both goalkeepers were kept busy and made important saves in a game that could easily have produced more goals.

What the result means

The draw keeps Deltras Sidoarjo in the upper half of the Indonesian Liga 2 table, though they will view it as two points dropped after leading 2-0. Persis Solo remain unbeaten in their recent run and will take confidence from their second-half fightback, even if the late equaliser felt like a blow. With both sides harbouring promotion ambitions, the result leaves the standings finely balanced and sets up an intriguing battle over the coming weeks.