PSIS sets up final showdown with Persebaya<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Dark horse PSIS Semarang turned the tables on
\nPersija Jakarta in its semifinal on Thursday to set up a final
\nshowdown with defending champion Persebaya Surabaya in the fifth
\nIndonesian Soccer League (Ligina) playoffs at Senayan soccer
\nstadium.<\/p>\n
Persebaya failed to overcome the constant attack from PSMS
\nMedan in the first match on Thursday. The 1-1 deadlock was not
\nbroken in overtime, but Persebaya finally succeeded in
\nfrustrating the North Sumatran team 4-2 on penalties to earn a
\nplace in Sunday's final.<\/p>\n
Dozens of jubilant Persebaya supporters ran from the stands,
\ncarrying the team's green banners, but were quickly herded off
\nthe field by riot police.<\/p>\n
Late on Friday, a meeting organized by the Jakarta Police
\ndecided to move the final from Senayan to a venue out of the city
\nbecause of security concerns. The venue was not announced.<\/p>\n
PSIS midfielder Ebanda Timothy scored his team's only goal, a
\nheader in the 15th minute off a pass from captain Ali Sunan.<\/p>\n
PSIS coach Edy Paryono said the victory boosted the team's
\nmotivation and would encourage his players to play without
\npressure against Persebaya, which it lost to 3-0 in an earlier
\ngame of the round-robin playoffs.<\/p>\n
\"We will not be out for revenge against Persebaya. We will
\naccept the result whether we will win or lose.\"<\/p>\n
Persija coach Herry Kiswanto said his players cracked under
\npressure and could not raise their attack.<\/p>\n
\"I instructed them in the meeting before the game that they
\nhad to play loosely and try to make leg-to-leg passes, which is
\nour specialty. In reality, some of them still did long passes.\"<\/p>\n
He said his players' initiative in attacking in the second
\nhalf was undermined by rushed efforts.<\/p>\n
He claimed he would take full responsibility for the loss,
\neven if the team's administrators sought his resignation.<\/p>\n
Persebaya substitute Putut Wijarnako sealed PSMS' fate when
\nhis shot earned the third goal to end the exhausting match. Putut
\ncame on in the second half as replacement for midfielder Reinold
\nPitersz.<\/p>\n
PSMS striker Jean Michel Baboaken was the first player to take
\nthe penalty, scoring the only goal for his team as teammates
\nmidfielders M. Afan Lubis, M. Baco Sadisque and defender Ardi
\nMuliono failed.<\/p>\n
Persebaya coach Rusdy Bahalwan praised PSMS' performance,
\nsingling out its penetration of his team's defense.<\/p>\n
\"They do short and tight passes after taking possession of the
\nball and it made our defenders busy. I think both teams had an
\nequal chance to win,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Disappointed PSMS coach Suimin Diharja said his team would
\nhave preferred the \"England system\" rule over the penalty
\nshootout because it was fairer to both teams.<\/p>\n
\"Although after the additional two extratime periods of 15
\nminutes, the score was still tied 1-1, but just 15 minutes later,
\nwe lost,\" he said bitterly, trying to hold back tears.<\/p>\n
He said his players were not psychologically prepared for a
\npenalty shootout and luck was not on their side.<\/p>\n
\"The penalty is a psychological matter. Anyone could execute
\nthe penalty in front of thousands of spectators if he is
\nprepared. Anyway, we were down on our luck. It goes to Pak
\nRusdy.\"<\/p>\n
Clash<\/p>\n
The dramatic match between Persebaya and PSMS Medan was marred
\nwhen PSIS supporters began pelting objects such as mineral water
\nbottles, stones and sticks at PSMS supporters in a nearby
\nsection.<\/p>\n
The unrest spread into the next section as Persebaya
\nsupporters started pelting Persija supporters.<\/p>\n
Calls from the league committee for the spectators to be
\nsporting were futile. The disturbance stopped when police and
\nmilitary officers were deployed to secure the area.<\/p>\n
All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar
\nhad denied after the match that the final would be moved to
\nCimahi in West Java, which was recommended before the playoffs
\nbegan to prevent unrest.<\/p>\n
He also pledged to visit the families of nine PSIS supporters
\nkilled in a train accident near Lenteng Agung Railway Station in
\nSouth Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I will ask for their identities and visit them. PSSI will
\nalso give compensation to the victims' families,\" said Agum.
\n(ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/psis-sets-up-final-showdown-with-persebaya-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}