Depleted Persija beats exhausted Persipura 3-1
Depleted Persija beats exhausted Persipura 3-1
Zakki Hakim and Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang
Persija Jakarta shrugged off player suspensions to overcome
Persipura Jayapura 3-1 in an Indonesian league soccer match at
the Lebak Bulus stadium in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Argentinean Emmanuelle Deporras made a double and Agus Indra
scored the other. The visitors took their only goal courtesy of
Brazilian teammate David Da Rocha.
Home favorites Persija began the match at a seeming
disadvantage, missing three key players in their starting line-
up.
Ismed Sofyan, Aris Indarto, first choice goalkeeper Mukti Ali
Raja, along with his understudy Samsidar, are all currently
serving a four-month suspension due to their involvement in a
brawl.
Persija also played without striker Bambang Pamungkas, who was
yellow carded twice in previous matches, and Ely Aiboy through
injury.
Relying on third-choice former first division goalkeeper Agus
Sriyanto, Persija struggled early on when it conceded a goal in
the opening minutes of the game.
Persipura, which has played four consecutive matches in the
past two weeks, struck first with midfielder David Da Rocha
finishing off a quick pass from captain Eduard Ivak Dalam.
As both sides explored the field with short passes and
individual moments of brilliance, Persija, with the support of
its 20,000 fans, equalized the score. An Agus Indra header in the
40th minute from Argentine Hernan Ortiz's corner kick left
Persipura goalkeeper Sahari Gultom gasping.
Early in the second half Persija took over the lead with Ortiz
again playing a pivotal role. His free kick was neatly channeled
by a Deporras blast through the Persipura defenders.
The seemingly unstoppable Deporras struck again in the 79th
minute.
Afterwards, Persipura coach Yudi Suryata said the tight match
schedule did not favor his team, causing them to drop off in
intensity, especially in the second half.
"The boys were exhausted. We hosted Saturday's game against
Persijatim Surakarta and we came here straight from Jayapura," he
said. Despite the schedule, he would not file a complaint to the
Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), he said.
Meanwhile, in Tangerang, host Persikota entertained Deltras
Sidoarjo in front of about 8,000 home fans to blitz the visitors
3-0 at the Benteng stadium.
While both teams showed some good offensive play, to the
disappointment of supporters neither produced a goal in the first
half.
By the second half the home fans had began to chant
disparaging remarks and this seemed to boost Persikota's spirits.
In the 68th minute Anton Hermawan struck home, following a
skirmish in front of the Deltras' net.
Less than a minute later, Aliyudin widened the gap when he
took advantage of a loose ball from Deltras keeper Herlambang.
Aliyudin did not stop there, building Persikota's win to 3-0
in the 71st minute. Deftly taking a pass, he then dribbled the
ball pass Herlambang.
In the 82nd minute, referee Suprihatin granted a penalty to
Deltras after Persikota goalkeeper Jendri Pitoy fouled captain
Ebanda Timothe. However, Timothe failed to use the opportunity to
close the gap, his kick heading straight for the keeper.
Tuesday's results:
Persikota 3 Deltras 0
Persib 3 PKT 1
Persija 3 Persipura 1
Semen 1 PSMS 3
Wednesday's fixtures:
Persita vs PSPS
Pelita KS vs PSM
PSS vs Persela
PSIS vs Persebaya