Pelita, Bandung kicked out from semifinals
JAKARTA (JP): What had been a forgone conclusion in the Indonesian soccer league quarterfinals turned into the biggest upset as favorites Pelita Jaya and Bandung Raya were both dumped from the semifinals by sides from Kalimantan yesterday.
Pupuk Kaltim opened the favorites' nightmare at Senayan, sending Bandung Raya reeling with a come-from-behind 2-1 win.
Bandung, powered by double strikers Dejan Glusevic and the league's top scorer Perry Sandria, only needed to draw to clinch a semifinal berth. But captain Herry Kiswanto dashed Bandung's semifinal dreams when he scored an own goal to give Pupuk the decisive victory.
Barito Putra followed the footsteps of its fellow Kalimantan team, but in a more convincing fashion, when Dahrul Basri's two goals sank a frustrated Pelita with a 2-1 victory in the other Group A match yesterday.
Pupuk and Barito share top place in the group with exactly the same score and goal difference. The league administrators will toss a coin today to decide which team finishes first.
In Friday's cross-over semifinals, Group A winner will meet Group B runner-up and Group B leader will tackle Group A runner- up for places in Sunday's final.
Bandung relied too much on quick counter attacks, giving midfielder Fachry Husaini heaps of room to orchestrate Pupuk's bottom-up raids throughout the match.
Montenegran Glusevic broke the scoreless tie and looked set to seal Pupuk Kaltim's fate when he tallied his 23rd goal of the season in the 23rd minute. Receiving a long pass from the midfield, Glusevic toyed with three Pupuk defenders before smacking a heavy left-footer into the net.
But Bandung's celebration proved short-lived. A minute later, Pupuk created a scramble in Bandung's goal mouth. Unmarked Fachry benefited from the melee, firing home a loose ball for the equalizer.
Fachry played an influential role in the second goal in the 72nd minute. He shot a looping free kick to Cameroon's Tibidi Alexis who nodded the ball to the net. Bandung's Herry attempted a clearance, only to send Alexis' header into the net.
Fachry would have made it 3-1 if Bandung goalkeeper Hermansyah had failed to tip off a hammering free kick from the Pupuk midfielder.
Pelita
In the second match of the day, Pelita played a lackluster game, thinking it would beat Barito by at least four goals.
Barito Putra striker Dahrul formed a formidable team with Yusrifar Jafar and Frans Sinatra Huwae in destroying Pelita's defense marshaled by Bonggo Pribadi.
The relentless attacks paid off in the 30th minute when Dahrul found the net in a solo run, profiting from Frans' long pass.
Pelita had to wait for 29 minute to pull back with a goal from veteran Elly Idris, who finished a low cross from Montenegran Milorad Bajovic. Dahrul was on target again in almost the same style in the 67th minute, breaking away from Pelita's off-side trap to slot the ball in the empty net. (amd)