Persebaya through to soccer league semifinal<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Persebaya Surabaya earned itself a semifinal
\nberth on Sunday, earning seven points to top Group 1 after
\ndefeating Persikota Tangerang in the Indonesian Soccer League
\n(Ligina) playoffs at Senayan sports stadium.<\/p>\n
Persikota and Pelita Bakrie, which played to a scoreless draw
\nwith PSMS Medan in the first match of Group II on Sunday,
\nnarrowed their chances to top the group lists. Persikota and
\nPelita earned one and two points respectively.<\/p>\n
Persikota striker Komang Mariawan converted the first goal in
\nthe 20th minute after putting Persebaya players under unrelenting
\npressure as they fought under a downpour.<\/p>\n
Persebaya striker Eri Irianto countered in the 37th minute
\nthrough a free kick.<\/p>\n
In front of about 30,000 fervent supporters who have acquired
\nthe dubious nickname bonek for their activities, Persebaya earned
\nthe winning goal in the 42nd minute when defender Yoseph Lewono
\ndrove the ball out of reach of Komang and into the penalty box.<\/p>\n
"We are very grateful because we won this game, although our
\nheart was pounding from anxiety," said the team's coach Rusdy
\nBahalwan. "We were bombarded by Persikota's attacks but luckily
\nwe had a good defense. Persikota performs so well that we had to
\nearn the goal through a long shot."<\/p>\n
Rusdy said his players were forced to use any opportunities
\nfor long shots from outside the penalty area because it was the
\nbest strategy, particularly on the slippery surface.<\/p>\n
Persikota's coach Sultan Harhara said he was proud of his
\nteam's performance despite their elimination from semifinal
\ncontention.<\/p>\n
"We already knew that Persebaya's strong point was its long
\nshooting. All the players were involved in a heated argument
\nafter Persebaya's first goal and this caused them to lose their
\ncohesiveness. As a result, we failed to block Yoseph and
\nPersebaya got its second goal."<\/p>\n
Persebaya and Persikota each have one more match to play.
\nPersebaya will face PSIS Semarang on Thursday and Persikota will
\nmeet Petrokimia Putra on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
In Group II, Pelita was unable to tame the strength of PSMS
\nand could not capitalize on its opportunities.<\/p>\n
"This game determined our fate. We had to win to enter the
\nsemifinal. Our players have done their best but could not compete
\nwith the PSMS players. That's all we could do," said Pelita's
\ncoach Danurwindo.<\/p>\n
He said his players lost control in the first half because
\nthey were under intense pressure, a fact acknowledged later by
\ncaptain Bima Sakti.<\/p>\n
PSMS manager Isman Nuriadi said both teams performed well
\nunder the circumstances.<\/p>\n
"Our players had never set foot in Senayan stadium. We are
\nglad that we could compete with a team as famous as Pelita.
\nAlthough both teams played tough, they maintained their
\nsportsmanship," he said.<\/p>\n
PSMS has five points from one win and two draws from three
\ngames.<\/p>\n
He said they would have to win their last match against PSM
\nUjungpandang on Thursday for a ticket to the semifinal.<\/p>\n
Monday is a rest day for the teams. Tuesday's matches will pit
\nPSIS Semarang against Semen Padang and PSM against Persija. (ivy)<\/p>\n
Results:
\n Pelita Bakrie 0 PSMS Medan 0
\n Persikota Tangerang 1 Persebaya Surabaya 2<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/persebaya-through-to-soccer-league-semifinal-1447893297",
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