Arema beats PSS 2-1

SLEMAN, Yogyakarta (JP): Arema Malang downed home favorite PSS Sleman 2-1 in the 2001 Bank Mandiri national soccer league's eastern division at Tridadi Stadium on Monday.

The match on Sunday was stopped for six minutes due to clash between supporters from both teams.

Arema's striker Ahmad Junaidi took the lead with a header in the 22nd minute. In the 64th minute, he scored his second goal.

The sole goal for PSS Sleman was scored by its most dangerous player M. Ikhsan in the 23rd minute, only a minute after Ahmad Junaidi scored a goal.

PSS's deputy manager Sukidi Cokrosuwignyo accused referee Agus Sunaryadi of unfair judgment that resulted in his team's defeat. He pointed out that Agus failed to take action when one of Arema players touched the ball in the penalty box.

"We will bring this case to PSSI's discipline commission," he said.

Arema's coach Daniel Rukito said his players should have been able to score more goals if they had controlled themselves. "Their performance became dull because they were too ambitious." (44)