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