Persebaya's Comeback Marked by First Home Match in Years
Jakarta. A reborn Persebaya Surabaya will host its first home match since 2013 when it will face PSIS Semarang in a friendly exhibition at Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium in East Java on Sunday (19/03).
The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) recently readmitted Persebaya after a bitter ownership dispute. The club's supporters, widely known as Bonek, have frequently pushed the country's football governing body to grant Persebaya clemency.
The PSSI announced in January that Persebaya would be allowed to play in Liga 2, the second tier of the national football league.
Jawa Pos Sportainment, a company owned by former state-owned enterprises minister Dahlan Iskan, recently acquired a majority stake in Persebaya.
Dahlan has appointed his son Azrul Ananda as the club's president.
Leading up to the homecoming game, Persebaya will announce details surrounding the club's new management structure and online ticketing system for its supporters.
"The comeback of Persebaya has been fought for by many parties over many years, particularly by Bonek. Now the club has returned to satisfy supporters at home," Azrul, who led his club to victory in a preseason tournament in Sleman, Yogyakarta, last week, said in a statement on Tuesday.
"The homecoming game on March 19 will be a turning point for the club to create a new history. We have prepared some surprises to make the event unforgettable," he added.
The stadium's doors will open at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday.
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