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.)