Pelita, Bandung kicked out from semifinals<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): What had been a forgone conclusion in the
\nIndonesian soccer league quarterfinals turned into the biggest
\nupset as favorites Pelita Jaya and Bandung Raya were both dumped
\nfrom the semifinals by sides from Kalimantan yesterday.<\/p>\n
Pupuk Kaltim opened the favorites' nightmare at Senayan,
\nsending Bandung Raya reeling with a come-from-behind 2-1 win.<\/p>\n
Bandung, powered by double strikers Dejan Glusevic and the
\nleague's top scorer Perry Sandria, only needed to draw to clinch
\na semifinal berth. But captain Herry Kiswanto dashed Bandung's
\nsemifinal dreams when he scored an own goal to give Pupuk the
\ndecisive victory.<\/p>\n
Barito Putra followed the footsteps of its fellow Kalimantan
\nteam, but in a more convincing fashion, when Dahrul Basri's two
\ngoals sank a frustrated Pelita with a 2-1 victory in the other
\nGroup A match yesterday.<\/p>\n
Pupuk and Barito share top place in the group with exactly the
\nsame score and goal difference. The league administrators will
\ntoss a coin today to decide which team finishes first.<\/p>\n
In Friday's cross-over semifinals, Group A winner will meet
\nGroup B runner-up and Group B leader will tackle Group A runner-
\nup for places in Sunday's final.<\/p>\n
Bandung relied too much on quick counter attacks, giving
\nmidfielder Fachry Husaini heaps of room to orchestrate Pupuk's
\nbottom-up raids throughout the match.<\/p>\n
Montenegran Glusevic broke the scoreless tie and looked set to
\nseal Pupuk Kaltim's fate when he tallied his 23rd goal of the
\nseason in the 23rd minute. Receiving a long pass from the
\nmidfield, Glusevic toyed with three Pupuk defenders before
\nsmacking a heavy left-footer into the net.<\/p>\n
But Bandung's celebration proved short-lived. A minute later,
\nPupuk created a scramble in Bandung's goal mouth. Unmarked Fachry
\nbenefited from the melee, firing home a loose ball for the
\nequalizer.<\/p>\n
Fachry played an influential role in the second goal in the
\n72nd minute. He shot a looping free kick to Cameroon's Tibidi
\nAlexis who nodded the ball to the net. Bandung's Herry attempted
\na clearance, only to send Alexis' header into the net.<\/p>\n
Fachry would have made it 3-1 if Bandung goalkeeper Hermansyah
\nhad failed to tip off a hammering free kick from the Pupuk
\nmidfielder.<\/p>\n
Pelita<\/p>\n
In the second match of the day, Pelita played a lackluster
\ngame, thinking it would beat Barito by at least four goals.<\/p>\n
Barito Putra striker Dahrul formed a formidable team with
\nYusrifar Jafar and Frans Sinatra Huwae in destroying Pelita's
\ndefense marshaled by Bonggo Pribadi.<\/p>\n
The relentless attacks paid off in the 30th minute when Dahrul
\nfound the net in a solo run, profiting from Frans' long pass.<\/p>\n
Pelita had to wait for 29 minute to pull back with a goal from
\nveteran Elly Idris, who finished a low cross from Montenegran
\nMilorad Bajovic. Dahrul was on target again in almost the same
\nstyle in the 67th minute, breaking away from Pelita's off-side
\ntrap to slot the ball in the empty net. (amd)<\/p>",
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