Persiraja extends winning streak<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Persiraja Banda Aceh extended its unbeaten
\nstreak on Sunday with a 2-1 away win over Persija as the
\nIndonesian soccer league resumed at Menteng stadium in Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
The hard-fought victory shot Persiraja to the top of the West
\nDivision standings, leapfrogging Pelita Jaya, which lies third
\nafter being on top throughout most the opening months of the
\nleague. Persiraja now has 24 points from 10 games and is two
\npoints ahead of Pelita Jaya.<\/p>\n
Persiraja joins Persebaya Surabaya, both former amateur
\nwinners, as the only two unbeaten teams since the league kicked
\noff on Nov. 27 last year.<\/p>\n
Persebaya, third in the East Division, is poised to restore
\nits pride after a 0-4 humiliation by Pelita Jaya last Friday in a
\nfund-raising match before its home fans.<\/p>\n
Persebaya and PSIM Yogyakarta were banned from hosting one
\nmatch each following a riot involving their supporters on Jan.
\n29, which claimed a life.<\/p>\n
Persib Bandung went ahead to the second spot despite its
\ndisappointing goalless draw against PSDS Deli Serdang at home.
\nPersib, spurred by striker Yusuf Bachtiar, Hendra Komara, Nandang
\nKurnaedi and captain Robby Darwis, created many goal-scoring
\nopportunities but PSDS's defense was too solid to be broken down.<\/p>\n
Semi-professional champion Pelita Jaya, which enjoyed a warm-
\nup 4-0 win in Surabaya on Friday, may regain control when it
\nplays a derby against third-from-the-bottom Warna Agung at home
\nbase in Lebak Bulus.<\/p>\n
In the league's East Division, midfielders Sutamto and the
\nHartono brothers, Jaya and Toyo, helped frontrunner Asyabaab
\nSalim Group confirm its grip with three goals each in their 3-2
\nwin over Arema Malang in a high-spirited match.<\/p>\n
Arema, nicknamed \"Crazy Lion\", fought back after a 0-1 deficit
\nin the first half with two goals from Micky Tata and Maryanto.<\/p>\n
Barito Putra climbed to the second place, replacing Persebaya
\nSurabaya, after defeating Putra Samarinda 1-0.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, PSIM Yogyakarta, which was forced to entertain PSM
\nUjungpandang in Pelita Jaya's home base, could only manage a
\nscoreless draw in a dull battle on an empty pitch.<\/p>\n
At Gresik, Petrokimia Putra Gresik upset Mitra Surabaya 1-0
\n(1-0) through a 24th minute goal by its import booter, Brazilian
\nJaksen Tiago, who capitalized on Zainal Arifin's pass.<\/p>\n
In Kudus, Central Java, Persiku, though dominating the match,
\nmanaged only to tie 1-1 with visiting Mataram Putra of
\nYogyakarta, in Wergu Wetan stadium on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Mataram took the lead after Yance Metmey sent a header to
\nPersiku's empty net in the 55th minute. Yance, however, received
\na marching order for his improper behavior. He took off his shirt
\nand ran to the pitch's side in jubilation.<\/p>\n
In Solo, Central Java, Arseto snatched a 3-0 home win over
\nPSMS Medan which was reduced to ten men for the last 35 minutes
\nbefore around 7,000 spectators at Sriwedari stadium on Sunday.
\nTrailing 0-2 in the first half, PSMS Medan went chaotic and
\nquickly resorted to violations.<\/p>",
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