Persija beats Persib 1-0 in Mandiri's first round

Persija beats Persib 1-0 in Mandiri's first round

JAKARTA (JP): Persija outplayed host Persib 1-0 in the first
qualifying round of the Bank Mandiri soccer league at Siliwangi
Stadium in Bandung on Sunday which was marked by unruly behavior
from both teams supporters.

Persib defender Nana Priatna scored an own goal when he was
trying to deflect a pass from Persija's veteran striker Widodo C.
Putro in the 36th minute at the Siliwangi Stadium.

Persib coach Indra Tohir said both teams underperformed but
Persija could have developed its offensive strategy.

"Our anxiety proved itself here. Our players were not fully
prepared to deal with the pressure and we were too influenced by
our rival's play," he said as quoted by Antara.

Persija's coach Sofyan Hadi shared Indra's opinion. "Frankly,
we didn't perform well because the field was very slippery. We
missed many golden chances."

Persib supporters threw mineral water bottles and firecrackers
onto the field after the match. Many of them broke through
barriers onto the field to attack Persija players but security
officials quickly escorted the players to a safer place.

Supporters also marched along streets and yelled denouncing
Persib's defeat. They destroyed flower pots and threw stones at
shops and offices along Jl. Asia Afrika.

Police finally dispersed the crowd and the situation grew calm
at about 7:30 p.m.

Persib supporters also smashed at least 12 irongates in front
of the ticketbox after tickets ran out.

Earlier, Persija supporters who called themselves 'The Jak'
also turned violent and vandalised three cars in the stadium's
parking lot. They were banned from attending the match because
they didn't have tickets.

In Makassar, South Sulawesi, defending champion and host PSM
thrashed visitors Petrokimia Putra of Gresik, East Java, 3-1 at
the Mattoangin Stadium.

Abdul Rozak of Petrokimia scored an own goal eight minutes
into the first half time after misreading a cross from Yusrifar
Djafar.

PSM top striker Kurniawan Dwi Julianto equalized in the 35th
minute while compatriot Fouda Ntasama extended PSM's lead in the
77th minute. M. Jainal Ichwan made a consolation goal for Petro
in a penalty shootout in the 53th minute.

However, the result didn't satisfy PSM head coach Syamsuddin
Umar and technical coach Henk Wullems.

"I'm furious with all our players' performances. Except for
Kurniawan, all of them performed poorly," Wullems told The
Jakarta Post after the match.

Syamsuddin expressed concern to the players. He said they
weren't motivated and couldn't adequately cover the field.

"I'm very concerned. This kind of weakness endangers the
credibility of our team, which is more skillful than Petro."

In Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, Barito Putra received kudos
and gifts from fans after it crushed visitor Persijap of Jepara,
Central Java 4-1 at 17 Mei Stadium.

Cameron national Bakko Sadissou contributed two goals in the
18th and 82th minute. Compatriot Bambang Harsoyo also earned two
goals in the 50th and 68th minute while Gunawan scored Persija's
only goal in the 65th minute.

After the match, local businessman like Johanes Handoko and H.
Fachruddin spontaneously rewarded the home team after their
brilliant performance. Antara reported that Barito Putra team
received a Rp 5 million cash bonus from Johanes and an extra Rp 1
million for a goal from Fachruddin. (27/ivy)