Arema pip Persija to win Copa

Moch. N. Kurniawan The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

In a dramatic, tension-filled game marred by controversial refereeing, Arema Malang handed Persija Jakarta its second final loss of the year on Saturday to win the Copa Dji Sam Soe national soccer title.

As with Persija's defeat in the elite Indonesian League final at Bung Karno Stadium, Central Jakarta, in September, the see-saw game needed extra time before Arema eked out a 4-3 victory for the winner's check of Rp 1 billion (about US$100,000).

"They ran and ran and never complained," Arema coach Benny Dolo said of his side, nicknamed the "crazy lions". "That was the key to winning the match." .

"Perhaps God just didn't want to give us a title this year," Persija assistant coach Isman Jasulmei said of the loss.

The teams -- with Arema having won their first encounter this year before a tie in a Copa preliminary match -- attacked from the outset.

Persija struck first, with Fatecha taking advantage of Arema goalkeeper Iskandar Silas O's fumbled handling of an Ismed Sofyan free kick in the 12th minute.

In the 20th minute, Arema's Erol F.X. Iba put through an excellent cross to Franco Hita, who controlled the ball off his chest and spun around to score.

Arema opened up a 2-1 lead in the 55th minute when Firman Utina made an unstoppable run from midfield.

With the visitors in the lead, referee Jajat Sudrajat made the first of a series of controversial decisions two minutes later, awarding a penalty to Persija after an Arema player's handball. Roger Batoum scored from the penalty spot to level at 2-2.

The tension rose in the 64th minute when Arema's Alex Pulalo was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Ortisan Salossa.

Incensed Arema players walked off the field amid demands for the referee to be replaced. However, Jajat stayed put when the players returned 15 minutes later, and, as if to put matters right, sent off Persija's Aris Indarto for a harsh tackle.

The match became a desperate fight to the end. Firman put Arema ahead again in the 74th minute, only for substitute Kurniawan Dwi Julianto to level six minutes later with a header.

Firman scored his hat trick with a low shot past Persija keeper Mukti Ali Raja in the 97th minute, for a 4-3 scoreline that held despite Persija's last-gasp efforts.