PSIS and Persija improve their chances<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): PSIS Semarang and Persija Jakarta upped their
\nchances of winning semifinal berths by moving to the top of their
\ngroups on the seventh day of the Indonesian Soccer League
\n(Ligina) playoffs at Senayan soccer stadium in Central Jakarta on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
PSIS Semarang, which appeared lax in its defense, tied 2-2
\nwith Semen Padang in its Group I match. Persija won 1-0 after
\nmanaging to wear down PSM Ujungpandang's defense in the second
\nhalf of their Group II match.<\/p>\n
PSIS Semarang, undefeated in two of three games, joined
\nPersebaya to top Group I with seven points. Persija, which also
\nhas seven points, took control of Group II from PSMS Medan, which
\nhas five points from one win and two draws in three games.<\/p>\n
Although Semen Padang and PSM each have one more match to
\nplay, they are out of contention for the semifinals. Semen Padang
\nwill meet Petrokimia Putra on Friday and PSM will play PSMS Medan
\non Thursday.<\/p>\n
PSIS striker Tugiyo scored one goal in the second minute of
\nthe first half, but Semen Padang striker Kusdianto equalized in
\nthe 29th minute. Semen Padang captain Masykur Rauf extended his
\nteam's lead to 2-1 in the 58th minute.<\/p>\n
Tugiyo added another goal in the 65th minute for the draw.<\/p>\n
Semen Padang coach Jenniwardin told reporters after the match
\nthat his team failed to close ranks and strengthen its defense
\nafter leading 2-1.<\/p>\n
\"PSIS players have good skills and they move very quickly. I
\ntold our players to stay close to each other and strengthen our
\ndefense after we led, but they disregarded my instruction,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He also asked his players to put pressure on Tugiyo as soon as
\nhe gained possession of the ball, but his skills outshone Semen
\nPadang's players.<\/p>\n
PSIS coach Edy Paryono admitted his team was kept on its
\nheels, leaving it unable to develop its game.<\/p>\n
\"Semen Padang plays well. Our players were under constant
\npressure. They were nervous because the opponents could counter
\nback. They could make through passes during which the ball fell
\nbehind our defenders.\"<\/p>\n
Edy refused to bet on the result of the team's next encounter
\nwith Persebaya on Thursday. \"Let's just see,\" he said.<\/p>\n
PSM displayed its offensive play and brought down Persija
\ncaptain Nur'alim, midfielder Luciano Leandro and goalie Mbeng
\nJean. Nur'alim and Jean suffered injuries to the knee and hip
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
\"The tough play was tolerable,\" said Persija coach and former
\nnational player Herry Kiswanto.<\/p>\n
Persija relied on striker Miro Baldo Bento from Cameroon to
\ninitiate attacks on PSM after getting the ball from midfielder
\nLuciano, Dedi Umarella and Wahyu Teguh who secured the center
\nfield.<\/p>\n
\"We tried to block the players at center field to prevent PSM
\nplayers from shattering our defense. We used this strategy to
\nanticipate PSM who we believed would go all-out to attack our
\ndefense,\" Herry said.<\/p>\n
Asked about preferred opponents if Persija made the
\nsemifinals, Herry said his team was prepared to face any team.<\/p>\n
\"PSIS or Persebaya are all OK for us. I once played in
\nSurabaya, so I have a slight understanding of the team's style,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Wednesday's game will feature Pupuk Kaltim against Pelita
\nBakrie and Petrokimia Putra meeting Persikota. (ivy)<\/p>\n
Results:
\n PSIS Semarang 2 Semen Padang 2
\n Persija Jakarta 1 PSM Ujungpandang 0<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psis-and-persija-improve-their-chances-1447893297",
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