Wed, 12 Jul 2000

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)