JakOnline – Things started to go well for Ryo Matsumura in his journey with Persija Jakarta. After receiving criticism for not being able to adapt with the team’s playing orientation, the Japanese slowly began to tune in. So far this season, Matsumura has bagged six league goals for the capital-based side.
Matsumura is five goals away from equaling his best league record in a season with Persija in the 2022/23 season. Lately, he scored a brace when visiting Manahan Stadium against his former team Persis Solo on Sunday.
The 30-year-old winger admitted he was happy to help his team despite the unwanted result. The fact that he used to play for the opposite side, helped him to adapt well with the atmosphere.
“I had a good memory here,” Matsumura said after the game. “The game was tough, but I tried my best to help the team, either with a goal or an assist. I am motivated in every game.”
Matsumura brought Persija level after trailing first with an early goal by Fransiskus Alesandro. He even turned the table around, when taking the visitors to lead for the first time in the match, before bottling the lead in the last minutes.
The draw at Manahan put Persija to sit second on the table, collecting 38 points. The 11-time champions are five points behind their archrival Persib who top the table. The result also put Matsumura and companies to one point ahead Persebaya who lost to Barito Putera on Saturday. (Abdi-JO)