Pelita draws with PSM, PSIS wins
Pelita draws with PSM, PSIS wins
JAKARTA (JP): Pelita Bakrie played out a 1-1 draw with PSM
Ujungpandang in an aggressive match in Group II of the fifth
Indonesian soccer league (Ligina) playoffs at the Senayan main
stadium on Thursday.
Pelita captain Bima Sakti and PSM defender Ali Baba both
produced goals from penalty kicks.
Bima made good of a penalty shot at the 60 minute mark to give
Pelita a 1-0 lead. Referee Suharto awarded the penalty when
Pelita striker Kurniawan Dwi Julianto was tackled by PSM
goalkeeper Ansar Abdullah in the penalty area.
In the 81st minute, the referee gave PSM a chance when one of
three Pelita players touched the ball in the penalty area. Ali
Baba fired the ball through from the penalty spot to equal the
score 1-1.
The results gave Pelita one point from its two matches after
it lost 0-1 against Persija in a derby match on Tuesday. PSM also
collected one point from the draw, its first match.
Pelita, known for strong offense, appeared tough and
aggressive with its counterpart, which is known for hard and
uncompromising performances.
"We lacked coordination during the early 10 to 20 minutes of
the first half due to Pelita's big name. But then we just played
our normal game and Pelita didn't show their best form tonight
and were less oppressive. Our younger players still need more
matches," said coach M. Basri.
Pelita coach Danurwindo said: "Although my team is in a
critical condition, we still have a chance to win the next two
matches. The tight schedule of the playoffs really disturbs our
preparation.
"I think we didn't get lucky in the penalty kicks."
Pelita stalwart Kurniawan also wasn't pleased with the result.
"I'm really disappointed because I think we had many
opportunities. Our defenders played hard but PSM could handle
them."
The referee gave three yellow cards to PSM players Ortisan
Salossa, Ali Baba and captain Ronny Ririn.
Moral
Earlier, PSIS Semarang unexpectedly upset Persikota Tangerang
2-1 in their Group I match.
Persikota, who showed aggression from the first minute, scored
when a kick by Steven Weah of Cameron in the 34th minute was
headed by Komang Mariawan. PSIS goalkeeper I. Komang Putera
deflected the ball but it ran to Weah again, who directed it into
the net.
PSIS equaled the score 1-1 in the 65th minute with a penalty
shot from Ebanda Timothy after Persikota forward Simamo Armand
fouled PSIS striker Tugiyo.
The result boosted PSIS moral, with a notable increase in
aggression. Unfortunately, Persikota goalie Hermansyah made a
fatal mistake by punching the kick from Imran Amirullah. Ali
Shaha, a substitute, did not miss the chance to give PSIS a 2-1
lead.
Coach Sultan Harhara expressed disappointment with the result,
saying his team's emotion was triggered by favoritism by referee
Darwisman and heckling by PSIS during morning training.
"The ref continued the game before Agung got off the field
after he was given the red card. It frustrated our team," he
said.
PSIS coach Eddy Paryono said that, in the first half, his team
had trouble getting through Persikota's strong defense, but he
changed his strategy in the second half by exploiting his
opponents' emotional condition.
"Frankly speaking, Persikota had a better chance to win," he
said.
PSIS defender Agung Setiabudi got a red card in the 80th
minute from referee Darwisman SP Lumu for delaying the match.
Friday will see PSMS Medan against Persija Jakarta in the
first match followed by Persebaya Surabaya playing Semen Padang.
(ivy)
Results:
PSIS Semarang 2 Persikota 1
Pelita Bakrie 1 PSM Ujung Pandang 1
Wednesday's results:
Persebaya 2 Petrokimia Putra 0
PSMS Medan 1 Pupuk Kaltim 0
Today's fixtures:
PSMS v Persija (4 p.m.)
Persebaya v Semen Padang (6:15 p.m.)