Makassar cruising to soccer league finals

Makassar cruising to soccer league finals

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): PSM Makassar ensured its
semifinals ticket in the Bank Mandiri national soccer league
following a 3-2 victory over Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) of East
Kalimantan in Group B's second encounter at Mattoangin stadium
here Tuesday.

In Group A, Arema Malang had to bury its ambition to be
another of the first clubs to enter the semis after drawing 1-1
with Persikota Tangerang, which also has an opportunity to
advance to the semifinals, during the second match in the Senayan
Stadium, Central Jakarta. Arema and Persikota share top position
in the group but Arema leads on goal difference.

Home favorite Persija opened its chance for another semis
ticket after crushing Pelita Solo 2-1 in Tuesday's second match.

Pelita's second defeat reduced its chances of reaching the
semis. It also lost its first match Sunday to Persikota.

PSM's Miro Baldo Bento did not miss the opportunity of kicking
the ball from outside the penalty area in the 13th minute to
allow PSM to snatch a 1-0 lead. But the host's lead did not last
long as PKT striker Mansyur managed to tie the score 1-1 in the
30th minute.

Three minutes later, PKT midfielder Ponaryo scored another
goal to put the visitors 2-1 up.

Trailing 1-2, the PSM players applied pressure on PKT with
aggressive attacks, especially in the second half.

In the 66th minute, PSM playmaker Carlos de Mello tricked PKT
goalkeeper Sumardi with his volley to the left corner of the net
to tie 2-2.

Bento once again netted the ball in the 75th minute which
caused the approximately 20,000 local spectators to erupt in
jubilation. The victory allows PSM to go to Senayan for the final
four.

In the second match, Persijatim of East Jakarta drew 1-1 with
PSMS Medan. Persijatim went 1-0 up thanks to Agus Santiko in the
20th minute but Chilean Jaime Rojas of PSMS managed to equalize
the score in the 40th minute.

In Jakarta, Arema earned its first goal through controversial
striker Juan 'Pacho' Rubio only eight minutes after kick-off. But
the Chilean player had to quit the match in the 51st minute after
going down in the penalty box.
Substitute Charles Esomba failed to sharpen Arema's attack and
the underdogs had to watch Saphou Lassy net the sole goal for
Persikota in the 70th minute.

Both Arema and Persikota could not hide their disappointment
after the draw.

Arema's coach M. Basri said the result was the best the team
could get.

"Persikota increased its rhythm in the second half to even the
match. It's the best result we could get. All teams want to win,
but I think this is not so bad. We will fight hard in the next
match," he said.

Basri also said Esomba did not live up to his hopes of
initiating attacks in the same way as Pacho.

"I expected him to play well up front but he couldn't. Anyway,
a substitution can make a performance better or worse. The fact
is he couldn't do it, and I don't think I have the right to go
onto the field and do his job, right?" he said emotionally to a
crowd of reporters.

He also criticized referee Agus Sunaryaji for unfair
treatment.

"When our players got close to the net, they always awarded
free kicks. But I don't want to blame the referee for the team's
loss," he said.

Persikota's coach Sutan Harhara also expressed his
dissatisfaction.

"I'm not happy with the result, but I'm pleased with my
players' form tonight. From the strikers to the goalie, they all
gave their best. But I think they wasted too many scoring
opportunities," he said.

Persija's young striker, Bambang Pamungkas scored the first
goal in the 31st minute but Pelita's defender Eko Purdjianto
managed to equalize in the 67th minute.

Only five minutes before the match ended, Bambang scored
another goal to seal his team's victory. (27/ivy)