Bandung Raya whips Persija 4-0 in league championship

JAKARTA (JP): High-flying Pery Sandria struck the first hat- trick of the season as his Bandung Raya side overpowered host Persija Jakarta 4-0 in their Indonesian league match yesterday.

Pery, who was signed by the Bandung, West Java semi- professional squad from Assyabaab Surabaya this season, inspired his team with skillful ball possession to jeopardize Persija's shaky defense as soon as referee Ronni blew the opening whistle.

It took powerful Bandung Raya's striker 44 minutes to find the net however. Pery hit the first time with Adjat Sudradjat's short, curled pass, despite the brave dive of Persija goalie Benny van Breukelen.

Former national player Adjat, playing before 1,000 jeering fans at Senayan stadium, should have brought his new team to a 1- 0 lead when the referee awarded unbeaten Bandung Raya a penalty, following a hand-ball by Maman Suryaman in the penalty box. Adjat wasted his time adjusting the ball to the white spot before firing a weak shot. Benny's finger tip missed the ball to give Bandung Raya a corner kick.

Pery was on target again two minutes after the break when he finished a 25-meter cross from overlapping defender Rasito with a header to the far post.

Bandung Raya, led by veteran Herry Kiswanto, slowed down the pace after the comfortable 2-0 lead over amateur side Persija which lost 0-2 to Warna Agung in Sunday's derby.

Miro Baldo Bento, who came into the pitch in the second half, gave winless Persija its fresh blood. In the 63rd minute, he sent a fine cross to the goalmouth, but Iskandar's header was firmly grabbed by Bandung Raya's goalkeeper Hermansyah who hardly faced any real menaces during the one-sided match.

Rahmalem Parangin-angin put Bandung Raya 3-0 ahead in the 71st minute with a surprising 25-meter cannon ball to the near post. Pery hit his career hat-trick four minutes later in a solo run as security officers were troubled with a brawl among supporters of the opposing teams.

"The result proves that semi-professional teams outclass their amateur rivals in this new league," Pery said after the match.

Results Persija 0 Bandung Raya 4 Persiraja 2 Pelita Jaya 1 Medan Jaya 1 Persita 0 Petrokimia 1 PSM 1 Assyabaab 3 Persipura 1 Arema 1 Persegres 0 Gelora Dewata 2 Mitra Sby 0