Arema Malang, Warm-up to Asian Tournament

A 2-0 victory over lesser-known Bali club Persegi Bali FC served as a warm-up for last year's Copa Indonesia Dji Sam Soe winner, Arema of Malang, to ready itself for the upcoming Asian Champions League. Arema spokesman M. Taufan said the club would focus on rotating all players on the pitch to prepare them for the Asian Champions League, which is scheduled close to the Indonesian League.
"The opening matches are more to give the players a chance to play so they are ready whenever they are fielded," he said.

Arema coach Miroslav Janu of the Czech Republic applied a 4-4-2 formation during Saturday's match. However, the team's strikers, Essa Mvondo and Patricio Morales, have yet to show their best form. Arema is slated to face Japan's Kawasaki FC at home on March 7. It will fly to South Korea to face Chunnam Dragon on March 21.

The club -- which failed to compete last year due to late registration -- will challenge Bangkok University on April 11 and again in Malang on April 25. In May, Arema will play an away match in Japan on May 9 and host Chunnam Dragon on May 23. Arema has faced several tests this year, including a sponsorship dispute with the Soccer Association of Indonesia. The ruling body requires all competing clubs to not be sponsored by companies with products similar to that of the league's main sponsor, which is a cigarette company.

Arema is owned and sponsored by PT Bentoel, the producer of X-Mild. The club will receive Rp 20 billion from the cigarette maker this year.