Argentine connection gives Persija win

Argentine connection gives Persija win

Zakki Hakim and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang

Persija Jakarta moved into second place of the Indonesian
soccer league after beating Persebaya Surabaya 3-1 here on
Thursday.

PSM Makassar, which was held to a 1-1 draw by PSPS Pekanbaru,
remained at the top of the standings three points above Persija.

Argentine Emmanuel Deporras scored twice in the space of two
minutes in the 70th and 72nd minutes, giving Persija a commanding
3-0 lead. Gustavo Ortiz, also from Argentina, had struck in the
first half for Persija's first goal.

Rodrigo Guano scored a consolation goal for the visitors two
minutes from full time.

Guano's goal ended a string of failed attempts by the
visitors, including a penalty shot by Danielo Fernando.

Last year's runner-up PSM now has 28 points to top the
standings, followed by Persija with 25 and Persebaya 23.

At the Lebak Bulus Stadium, Persija and Persebaya were
involved in a balanced game, with both teams threatening goal. It
was only the impressive play of the goalkeepers that kept the
match scoreless for most of the first half.

Ortiz opened the scoring by getting on the end of a Deporras
cross from the right corner of Persebaya's box in the 43rd
minute, firing the ball low to beat Hendro Kartiko at the near
post.

Deporras found the back of the net twice in the second half,
the first coming on a pass from Ellie Aiboy and the second from
an impressive solo run on the right wing before firing the ball
home.

The visitors had an opportunity to reduce the gap when referee
Purwanto awarded a penalty shot after Kurniawan Dwi Julianto was
taken down by Gomez. But Persija goalkeeper Mukti made a nice
save on Fernando's penalty.

Guano came off the bench for Christian Carrasco and scored for
Persebaya but it was too little and too late for the visitors.

After the match, Persebaya manager Jacksen F. Tiago said his
defense was shaky and the strikers were unable to capitalize on
good scoring opportunities.

"We have to admit that Mukti is a good goalkeeper. Danielo
kicked a hard ball toward the lower left of the goal but Mukti
was still able to stop it. He is good," Tiago said.

Persija manager IGK Manila said he was satisfied with his
team's play.

"The team is now solid enough to play our system consistently.
I could put anyone from the team in as a starter now," he said,
adding that he hoped the players would maintain their play going
ahead in the season.

Meanwhile, after its 4-0 rout of PKT Bontang on Sunday,
Persita continued its winning ways by beating Deltras Sidoarjo 1-
0 in Tangerang on Thursday.

Dedi Mulyadi scored the lone goal of the game, latching onto a
loose ball in front of the Deltras goal in the 72nd minute.

Persita was on the attack from the first whistle. However,
Deltras played tough defense and turned away as 10 goal chances
in the first half.

Persita coach Persita M. Basri was impressed by Deltras,
saying the newcomers could not be written off this year.

"I have to say that Deltras played good today, particularly on
the defense it was difficult for us to break through," Basri
said.

Thursday's results
PSMS 1 Persipura 0
PSPS 1 PSM 1
Semen Padang 2 PKT 0
Pelita KS 2 Persela 1
Persija 3 Persebaya 1
Persita 1 Deltras 0