Carlos Pena Sets Sights on Top Four Finish for Persija

Persija Jakarta's head coach, Carlos Pena, has made it clear that the team's target for this season is to secure a top-four finish in the Liga 1 standings. Pena, who took over as head coach amid skepticism due to his predecessor Thomas Doll’s high profile, has gradually managed to improve the team's performance. However, a recent 2-2 draw at home against PSBS Biak has prevented Persija from closing the gap to league leaders Persib.

The coach expressed disappointment over the result, noting that the team had aimed to secure all three points at home but fell short. Despite this setback, Persija remains in second place with 39 points from 11 wins, six draws, and four losses. They are seven points behind Persib and hold a slim one-point advantage over third-place Persebaya.

Looking ahead, Persija will face Dewa United, another team on the rise, this coming Saturday. Pena emphasized the importance of focusing on each match one step at a time as they look to recover and prepare for the upcoming challenge.