Defending champion PSM upset by PKT

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)