Pelita, Bandung kicked out from semifinals

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)