Indocement Cirebon wins fourth HBIX Cup

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Indocement Cirebon surprisingly won the fourth Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX Cup after defeating Gelora Dewata of Bali 2-1 at Mandala Krida Stadium on Sunday.

Defending champion and host PSIM had to be satisfied with coming third after winning 3-2 against fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) runner-up Persebaya Surabaya.

Although Indocement was undefeatable in the one-week tournament here, coach Sinyo Aliandoe said the club should improve its performance if it wanted to compete in the sixth Ligina, scheduled to begin on Nov. 7.

"Our strikers should vary their attacks," said the former national coach.

Indocement had to play hard to control the game after Gelora's striker Adhari scored the first goal in the second minute of the first half.

Ten minutes later, Indocement's Brazilian striker Jaldesi Jesus Dos Santos equalized with a free kick from the right side of the goalpost.

The score was tied until the end of the game. But luck was on Indocement's side in added time after defender Hendriawan volleyed a feed from Dos Santos in the 104th minute which Gelora's goalie Sutrisno Herlambang failed to stop.

Gelora was apparently disappointed with the devastating result. Gelora's coach, Freddy Muli, accused referee Suharto of Yogyakarta of being unfair.

The third-place match was monotonous as PSIM had lost its fighting spirit and failed to score goals despite having the opportunity, while Persebaya failed to display a solid defense.

PSIM scored three goals through striker Agus Warsito in the 14th minute, midfielder Wahyudianto in the 22nd and striker Cornelis Mamesah in the 23th. Persebaya retaliated through its duo strikers Ronald Pietersz in the 52nd minute and Brazilian Gomes De Olivera in the 67th.

Persebaya's coach Riono Asnan refused to comment on his team's performance. "I won't comment on my players' performance, if you wand to write that Persebaya was not playing seriously, go ahead," he told The Jakarta Post.

PSIM's coach, Bambang Prasetyo, said he was satisfied with his players' performance against giant Persebaya. "I'm surprise that my players could earn three goals. We would've considered ourselves lucky just to tie with Persebaya. I even ask my players whether this match is real or only a dream," he said. (44)