Favorites held by upset draws in quarterfinals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The favorite teams got off to a shaky start at
\nthe Indonesian soccer league quarterfinals as they were held to
\nupset draws in their Group A matches yesterday.<\/p>\n
Western Division leader Pelita Jaya, while boosted by Cameroon
\nWorld Cup star Roger Milla, failed to live up to its billing as
\nthe finest team to watch in the 34-field league when it
\nencountered stubborn resistance from Pupuk Kaltim for a 1-1 tie.<\/p>\n
The next match ended with the same score, with Bandung Raya
\nhaving to wait for a brilliant free kick from Montenegran Dejan
\nGlusevic to save face in its match against Barito Putra.<\/p>\n
Kalimantan side Barito, the last-minute qualifier in the final
\neight competition, shrugged off the fatigue after playing its
\ndeciding match against PSM Ujungpandang on Monday to surprise
\nBandung with a goal from midfielder Heriansyah in the 17th
\nminute.<\/p>\n
Both teams had to play in heavy rain almost throughout the 90
\nminutes, turning the game into an error-ridden showing mainly as
\na result of the waterlogged pitch. The Bandung side, however, was
\nclearly the dominant force from the onset, threatening Barito
\nwith relentless goalmouth scrimmages.<\/p>\n
Perry Sandria, who leads the league's scorers with 33 goals,
\nled Bandung's upfront charge following the shocking goal, only to
\nmeet with superb defense from goalkeeper Abdillah.<\/p>\n
The bald goalie played gamely to deny Glusevic's powerful shot
\nmidway to the interval. Abdillah staved off at least two other
\ngoal scoring chances from Perry and left winger Tibidi Alexis in
\nthe last ten minutes of the first half.<\/p>\n
The rain stopped soaking the Senayan stadium 15 minutes after
\nthe break, but Bandung never took a rest. It continued to surge
\nforward, and it was rewarded after defender Salahudin committed a
\nhand-ball in the 70th minute.<\/p>\n
Glusevic slotted a long volley to the near post, easing past a
\nstranded Abdillah and a pack of Barito's defenders who marshaled
\ntheir penalty area.<\/p>\n
Unexpected<\/p>\n
\"We had never expected to play such a great match, since we
\nhad yet to fully recover,\" Barito manager Rahmadi said. \"Bandung
\nlooked surprised with the way we played,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Barito managed only to claim its berth at Senayan after
\nbeating PSM 2-1 away from its home base in Samarinda, East
\nKalimantan.<\/p>\n
Bandung coach Nandar Iskandar could not hope for a better
\nresult in view of the waterlogged pitch, and said he was quite
\nsatisfied with the draw. \"We could have scored a win if it hadn't
\nrained,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Playing before a crowd of 10,000, Pelita was also more aggressive
\nand clearly determined to beat the Eastern Division runner-up
\nPupuk. Of the numerous golden chances it produced, only 45-year-
\nold Milla was on target.<\/p>\n
Milla put a finishing touch on a sharp cross from fellow
\nCameroon player Maboang Kessack in the 31st minute with a
\nslamming kick into a net left unguarded by goalkeeper Sumardi.<\/p>\n
Pupuk produced a barnstorming comeback in the second half and
\nleveled the tie just two minutes after the break through defender
\nIsmadi Justin, who went up to slot home a ball bounced off
\nListyanto Raharjo.<\/p>\n
Prolific midfielder Kessack wasted his best goal scoring
\nchance ten minutes before time when he found Sumardi the last man
\nto beat. He slammed the ball just one meter away from Sumardi's
\nleft post. (amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/favorites-held-by-upset-draws-in-quarterfinals-1447893297",
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