Arema pip Persija to win Copa
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.