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High-flying Arema Malang looks a sure bet to win its first league title in 17 years, leading the Indonesian Super League by eight points with 12 matches to go.

It boasts the league’s stingiest defense, having allowed 10 goals in 22 matches, and is tied for the third-best attack with 30 goals.

For all its on-field success, though, one thing could halt Arema’s title charge — its balance sheet. Gunadi Handoko, director of Arema’s operating company, PT Arema Indonesia, resigned from his job on Tuesday, and two days later club manager and honorary chairman Rendra Kresna revealed the state of Arema’s finances.

“We only have enough cash to run the club until the end of March. Now we’re working hard to find more money so the club can finish the league,” Rendra told reporters on Thursday. “We don’t want players and staff to suffer from late payments. We need around Rp 6 billion [$654,000] to make it until season’s end.”

Financial strife is nothing new for Arema, which last won a league title in the semi-professional Galatama in 1993.

Dutch coach Robert Rene Alberts and several star players in December threatened to leave the club after not receiving contract down payments and victory bonuses they were due. That was resolved a month later when PT Bentoel, a tobacco company, provided Rp 3 billion of its Rp 7.5 billion sponsorship.

However, Rendra — who is also the deputy district head of Malang — said that money had all been spent on player and staff salaries.

“For a season, we need around Rp 20 billion. We got Rp 7.5 billion from Bentoel and Rp 6.5 billion from another sponsor, Telkom Flexi, and ticket sales until now,” he said. “We still have six home games left and that will add to our revenue, but we have to find other resources.”

Arema reportedly earns between Rp 600 million and Rp 800 million in gate receipts per home match at Kanjuruhan Stadium.

Rendra said the club would try to boost merchandise sales by working with several gift shops in the district, adding: “We’re getting closer to the ISL title, so we’ll do all it takes to save the club.”

Gunadi, meanwhile, said his resignation had nothing to do with the financial crisis.

“I’m just too busy as a lawyer and found it hard to divide my time between the two jobs. Arema Indonesia will be better run by someone who can focus his time on managing the company,” he said. “I wanted to resign after the first round in December, but there was a problem back then so I had to resolve it first.”

In league play on Thursday, Persib Bandung came from behind to beat Bontang FC 2-1. The win lifted it into fourth place with 36 points.

Japanese striker Kenji Adachihara stunned the fans at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, scoring in the first minute for his ninth goal of the season. Persib equalized in the 75th minute through Christian Gonzales and got the winner with Hilton Moreira’s goal seven minutes from time.




Antara, JG