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