Pelita Jaya becomes West division's leader

Pelita Jaya becomes West division's leader

JAKARTA (JP): Buyung Ismu's hat trick helped giant Pelita Jaya
score an away 6-1 win over minnow PS Bengkulu on Saturday as the
Indonesian League's first season came to an end yesterday.

The victory raised Pelita Jaya's position to the top of the
league's West Division standing table, with 38 points.

With the hat trick, scored at the 12th, 20th and 73th minutes,
Buyung has snapped up a total of 14 goals during the current
season, making him the West Division's top scorer since the
league's kick-off in November last year.

Pelita Jaya's other goals were scored by Giman Nurjaman at the
16th minute, and Cameroon players Roger Milla and Maboang Kessack
at the 50th and 58th minutes respectively.

Bengkulu's only consolation goal came at the 34th minute when
Roswanda unexpectedly made a sharp reverse attack and zeroed in
on a goal beyond the reach of stunned-looking goalie Donny
Latuperisa.

It was clear that Pelita Jaya, which dominated the match from
the first whistle, outclassed Bengkulu, which could not field its
best player Sutoyo who is still undergoing treatment for a knee
injury.

The match was interrupted at one point when a woman suddenly
ran onto the field and, according to Antara, "shouted as if
euphoric at being able to get a close view of Cameroon soccer
great Roger Milla in person."

Barito Putra

In the East Division, it was Barito Putera Banjarmasin which
stayed atop, with 35 points, after routing lowly PSIR Rembang 4-0
at home on Saturday.

Barito owes three of the goals to its outside right, Joko
Heriyanto, who scored the hat trick at the 18th, 44th and 56th
minutes. The other goal was netted by inside right, Heriansyah,
who was quick to capitalize on a rambling ball in front of the
goal post shortly after the match began.

Playing on a soaked pitch as a result of heavy drizzle, the
ultimately victorious side began to lose composure, trailing 0-2.
This made Rembang's defense more penetrable. Frustrated at its
failure to find a way of countering Barito's constant pressure,
Rembang resorted to rough play. Yellow cards were flashed to
three of its booters: Kuncoro, Haryanto and Edy Supriyanto.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Medan Jaya eclipsed Warna Agung 3-0,
PSIM Yogyakarta grafted out a goalless draw with PKT Bontang, PSM
Ujungpandang upset Gelora Dewata 2-1, Arseto Solo gave
Persijatim Jakarta a good 5-0 spanking and Persipura Jayapura
tied 1-1 with Mitra Surabaya.

Yesterday, the last day of the league's first season, saw
Petrokimia Putra of Gresik, fortified by two imported booters
from Tobago, whip Persebaya Surabaya 3-1. Arema Malang pipped
home rival Persema 1-0 and Persija Jakarta beat Persib Bandung 1-
0. The second season will kick off with a battle between
Persebaya and Arema on Apr. 30. (arf)

Saturday's results
Medan Jaya 3 Warna Agung 0
PSIM Yogyakarta 0 PKT Bontang 0
PSM Ujungpandang 2 Gelora Dewata 1
Arseto Solo 5 Persijatim 0
Persipura 1 Mitra Surabaya 1

Sunday's results
Petrokimia Putra 3 Persebaya 1
Arema 1 Persema 0
Persija 1 Persib 0