Defending champion PSM upset by PKT

JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion PSM Makassar of South Sulawesi was surprised by host Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) of Bontang, East Kalimantan, 0-2 in the Eastern division match of the 2001 Bank Mandiri soccer league at Mulawarman Stadium on Wednesday.

PKT sealed its victory only two minutes after the initial whistle when Mansyur dribbled the ball through PSM's defenders and beat the keeper, shocking the side with his singular heroics.

Ilham Hasan iced victory for the hosts in the 16th minute, Antara news agency reported.

Referee Haryono of Yogyakarta issued four yellow cards during the match. Three of the cards going to the guests: Miro Baldo Bento, Syamsuddin Batola, and Suwandi meanwhile another went to PKT's Ilham Hasan who scored the second goal.

Pressured by PKT from the opening whistle, PSM played under form for most of the match.

PSM coach Syamsudin Umar launched a protest after the match saying his team deserved a penalty kick in the second half when striker Fauda Ntsama was brought down in the penalty area.

The protest received no response.

The match was marred by PSM's fans entering the pitch in the second half trying to mob referee Haryono. Security officers controlled the hooligans, but the incident forced the match to be halted for two minutes.

Long time rivals, both sides played under constant pressure from aggressive marking.

Tension on the pitch was heightened by a capacity crowd of 15,000 fans from both sides. More than 1,000 had to stand outside the overcrowded stadium.

In other action, Petrokimia Putra Gresik of East Java is expected to earn three points in away matches against Persipura Jayapura of Irian Jaya on Feb. 4, Persma Manado of North Sulawesi on Feb. 7 and PSM Makassar on Feb. 11.

The team's coach, Imam Supardi, told Antara that he only expected his team to tie in the three matches. (nvn)