Persegres beats Persiba 5-1

JAKARTA (JP): Persegres Gresik took full home advantage to produce a first half goal spree for a 5-1 whipping of Persiba Balikpapan in their Indonesian soccer league clash at Gresik, East Java on Thursday.

Cool-headed defender Abdul Khamid, who orchestrated Persegres' bottom-up charges, struck twice from the penalty spot in the 24th and 43rd minutes.

It was clear that attack-minded Persiba had more goal- scoring chances in the East Division match, but the home side was smarter in capitalizing on its few opportunities.

Khamid flawlessly executed a penalty given by referee Khairul Agil after Abidin, who opened the goal spree in the 22nd minute, was felled by Bahrun Malik in the penalty box. He then hit the second goal with a curled, powerful a free kick which pierced Persiba's fence.

Ajis Usman and Rodek shared the goal party with their 26th and 37th cannon balls which eased past Persiba's reserve goalie Agus Waluyo.

The visiting team fought back in the second half, but found its fast tiring strikers no match for Persegres' ruthless defense trio of Abdul, Mustafa Umarella and Baharudin Said.

Persiba broke the duck five minutes after the break, thanks to Baharudin's handball in the penalty area. Captain Nixen Mailankei, who executed the penalty, did his job well.

In another East Division match in Jayapura, Irian Jaya, Persipura forced a 1-1 draw with Pupuk Kaltim of Bontang, East Kalimantan.

The full support of 20,000 home fans at the packed Mandala stadium encouraged Persipura, which was left trailing for most of the second half, thanks to Fachry Husaini's shock goal a few seconds after the break.

Persipura is a pastime winner of the inter-city championship.

Striker Izak Fatari saved the home side from a nightmare just four minutes before the final whistle when he finished a long pass from midfield Yarangga. (amd)