Persebaya beats Persema in Bank Mandiri league

Persebaya beats Persema in Bank Mandiri league

JAKARTA (JP): Favorite Persebaya Surabaya overcame Persema
Malang 1-0 on Wednesday at the 10 Nopember stadium in Surabaya
during the first leg of the eastern division of the Bank Mandiri
soccer league.

Striker Rahel produced Persebaya's sole goal in the 42th
minute thanks to a feed from Ronald Pieterz from the midfield.
Persema intensified its attack but the players failed to break
through Persebaya's solid defense until referee Budiono blew the
final whistle.

Budiono gave five yellow cards for three Persebaya players --
Jesus de Santos, Hartono and Agung Setyabudi -- and two Persema
players -- Chusnul Yuli and Siswationo -- for harsh play.

Persebaya's coach Rudy W. Keltjes said he was not satisfied
with the team's for which was less solid in teamwork.

"There is a progress but I'm not satisfied with my boys'
performances. I will try to improve it," said the former
assistant coach in the national team for the Asian Cup.

Persema's coach Rohanda said his players were too tense in the
first half.

"Persebaya suits as the winner. Its players excel in all the
position. Unfortunately, my players did not brave enough to
confront the team so they only received pressure," he said.

In Gresik, East Java, host Petrokimia Gresik (Petrogres) was
outclassed 0-1 by visitor Barito Putra of South Kalimantan.

Following the loss, Petrogres fans immediately asked the
club's coach Risdianto to quit. They waited the players outside
the Tridharma stadium and yelled at Risdianto expressing their
disappointment.

Petro's manager Imam Supardi said the club could not
immediately fire Risdianto due to the defeat but the management
would review the coach's performance after observing the next
home match.

In Malang, East Java, Arema failed to take revenge over Pelita
Solo and only forced to tie 1-1 at Gajayana stadium.

Pelita led first in the eighth minute through Indrianto
Nugroho's goal but Arema's Ahmad Junaidi successfully executed
the free kick in the 38th minute. Referee I.K. Hari Darjaya
awarded the free kick after Pelita's midfielder Matheno was
caught with hand ball, Antara reported.

In Sleman, Yogyakarta, host PSS Sleman blanked Gelora 2-1 at
Tridadi stadium here on Wednesday.

Striker Muhammad Iksan earned the first goal in a penalty
shootout in the 33th minute. Iksan got the penalty after Gelora
midfielder Kadek Sutiana floored Slamet Riyadi in the penalty
box.

The first goal for the host lessened Gelora's fighting spirit.
Another PSS striker Budiono made use of the situation and
extended his club's lead in the 41th minute.

It was the second victory for PSS after defeating Pelita Solo
2-1 on Jan. 14. PSS, which was just promoted to the main division
this year, managed to escape defeat with a 0-0 tie with Persijap
Jepara, also a newcomer in this year's league.

For Gelora, Wednesday's poor result was the first defeat after
playing three matches. Gelora tied with Persebaya and Petrokimia
at home.

Gelora's coach Freddy Muli admitted that PSS performed better
than his team. "Strikers Slamet Riyadi, Gatot Ismawan or Iksan
are very skillful, and they easily broke into our defense."

About 15,000 PSS supporters who called themselves 'Slemania'
convoyed along some Yogyakarta's main road such as Jl. Magelang
and Jl. Malioboro, creating a traffic jam in the city. (44/ivy)