Pelita Jaya losses 0-1 to PSDS

Pelita Jaya losses 0-1 to PSDS

JAKARTA (JP): Little known PSDS Deli Serdang sprang a surprise on the modified national soccer league yesterday when the North Sumatra side scored a 1-0 victory over semi-professional champion Pelita Jaya in Deli Serdang yesterday.

Playing before top officials of the All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), PSDS entertained its 10,000 fans who packed the local Lubuk Pakam stadium with well-knit teamwork to tame the skilled visitors.

The solid partnership paid off when Arifin Sinaga launched a rapid breakaway into Pelita's defense with a winning goal 13 minutes from the final whistle.

Arifin, leading the upfront charge, seized the ball bounced off Pelita's careless goalkeeper Listianto Raharjo. The forward eased past Pelita's Yugoslavian defender Mioorag Bozovic before volleying home the ball into the empty net.

Pelita Jaya was with its three imported players, but they failed to live up to public's expectations. Another Yugoslavian Dejan Glus Cevic, the first player to score in the league's opening session last week, was shown a yellow card for a pro foul.

The Jakarta side was left pressed on their defensive ground, forcing Listianto to make a number of safe dives. Bozovic's cool line marking managed to avoid the goal-lusting PSDS from finding the net.

Deli should have earned another goal when referee Joko Sutrisno pointed to the white spot, following a foul against Syafril by Bonggo Pribadi in the penalty box. Zuniman, however, squandered the golden chance.

"We were not in our usual shape. They played tremendously," Pelita team manager Andri Amien admitted. PSDS had at least three goal scoring opportunities which were foiled by Listianto's brilliant finger tips. (amd)