International Friendly Match
PERSEBAYA CLAIM NARROW VICTORY IN A WA PERFORMANCE TO BE PROUD OF
Four second half goals guided Persebaya to a 4-3 victory against Western Australia at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in Indonesia on Sunday.
A first half goal to Chad Nilson of our State Team, and second half goals to Kade Fearnall and Santiago Flores kept WA in the match, however Persebaya’s four second half goals, including three goals in nine minutes, proved to be enough for the home side.
The match was part of the continued celebration of the strong relationship between Indonesia and Western Australia, and was the second meeting between the two sides in just 16 months with the last match played in July 2025 at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
It was the home side who set the tempo of the match early, controlling the game through the middle of the park. Persebaya’s first attempt of the game came in the 9th minute after Charlie Chechlacz gave away a free kick on the edge of his 18-yard box. The resulting free kick sailed over the crossbar without troubling WA goalkeeper Adrian Sinagra.
Sinagra was called into action just minutes later when a long ball from Persebaya put the attacker one-on-one with Sinagra forcing a save from the WA custodian. WA worked hard to regain control of the game in midfield, relying on former A-League players Mitch Oxborrow and Josh Risdon; the latter with a run into the box to win WA their first corner of the match. However, it was Persebaya who continued to apply pressure and Sinagra was the busier of the two goalkeepers when he made three saves in the space of three minutes as the home side found ways through the WA defence.
Sinagra’s best save of the half came in the 30th minute when a long ball played in Mabella who cut in on his right and forced a spectacular save from Sinagra. WA’s first real chance of the half came from back-to-back New Balance NPL WA Men’s gold medal winner Charlie Chechlacz. His Fremantle City teammate Chad Nilson squared the ball into the path of Chechlacz whose shot was saved and pushed away for a corner.
Persebaya then squandered a chance to take the lead. Sananta sending his shot well-wide of the post despite being one-on-one against Sinagra. Then, in the 40th minute WA capitalised on their best period of possession for the half when Chad Nilson headed home the opener to give the away side the lead.
Some wonderful build-up play from WA, was controlled by Clisby, Oxborrow and Risdon who worked the ball forward. A quick exchange between Chechlacz and Risdon put the former Perth Glory captain through on goal. Risdon got his shot away and the well-placed ball was headed home by Nilson.
WA went into the half with a 1-0 lead.
A host of changes for the home side to start the second half brought a fresh attack for the WA defence to contend with. WA goalkeeper, Sam Reilly replaced Adrian Sinagra at half time and was called into action early. Reilly’s save fell into the path of the oncoming Persebaya attack, with Jack Clisby close by to put his clearance out for a corner.
Persebaya then scored their first of three goals in a 10-minute period; in the 63rd minute a low ball into the box bounced favourably to Risto whose clever finish put the ball over Reilly. Just one minute later, Alfan was on the receiving end of a fast breakaway. He quickly cut in on his left before curling a stunning shot from outside the 18-yard box into the far corner to give the hosts the lead. And Persebaya would have their third goal after some sharp movement on the edge of the box, where the ball found Alex whose diving header from close range gave the Indonesian side the lead.
WA remained in the contest and, after Mitch Oxborrow’s low corner was cleared out, he latched onto the loose ball to deliver another cross into the box. The knock on from Jack Clisby was saved but Kade Fearnall was there to score from close range.
That would spark a revival from the WA State Team. Josh Risdon was involved again with some neat build up play, playing in second half substitute Santiago Flores. Flores took a clever touch to open the angle and his left footed strike took a slight deflection into the goal.
With scores level, an unfortunate slip from Mitch Oxborrow resulted in the midfielder’s second yellow card, reducing WA to 10-men with just five minutes to go. A final push from Persebaya would prove the difference when, in the 90th minute, the blocked shot gave the home side a corner. The decisive cross into the middle of the box was headed home by Geldson to secure victory for the hosts.
Match Details: International Friendly Match
Persebaya Surabaya 4 (Risto 63’, Alfan 64’, Alex 72’, Gledson 90’)
Western Australia 3 (Nilson 40’, Fearnall 76’, Flores 84’)
Western Australia: 1. Adrian SINAGRA (GK) (18. Sam REILLY (GK) 45’), 3. Josh RISDON, 4. Oli ANNIS, 5. Jack CLISBY, 6. Aryn WILLIAMS (C) (13. Luke BODNAR 63’), 7. Charlie CHECHLACZ (9. Kade FEARNALL 56’), 8. Mitch OXBORROW, 10. Santiago FLORES, 11. Sam POLLARD (17. Jack BAKER 45’), 14. Isaiah WINGELL (12. Federico ACHILLI 56’), 15. Chad NILSON (2. Luke DESMOND 70’)
Subs: 18. Sam REILLY (GK), 2. Luke DESMOND, 9. Kade FEARNALL, 12. Federico ACHILLI, 13. Luke BODNAR, 16. Daniel JANKULOSKI, 17. Jack BAKER
Photos: Football West/Oliver Hustwick
