Persija crushes PSBL 3-2 in away match

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta-based Persija overpowered PSBL of Bandar Lampung 3-2 in the western division match at Pahoman stadium in Bandar Lampung during the 2001 Bank Mandiri national soccer league on Sunday.

A heavy downpour had made the pitch slippery but it could not stop Persija's top striker Bambang Pamungkas from contributing two goals in the 19th and 34th minutes. Teammate Budi Sudarsono sealed the team's victory in the 68th minute.

PSBL could have taken an early lead in the 13th minute through a penalty but Meiyadi Rakasiwi failed to deliver. Yosep Iyay kicked the first goal for his team in the 44th minute and Filipe A. Cortez narrowed his team's loss one minute before the match ended.

Thirty minutes into the first half, PSBL were putting the star-studded Persija under pressure and Cortez had at least five chances to score. But Cortez found it difficult to get past Persija's goalie Mbeng Jian.

In the second half, PSBL replaced its goalie M. Sukron Chaniago with Agus Prianto as Persija's players started to play offensively. As the result, only Budi, who replaced Ebanda Timothe, managed to score a goal.

Match referee Budi Rijadi and Persija's coach Sofyan Hadi regretted the spectators' unruly behavior in throwing mineral water bottles onto the field and disrupting the match.

"I will report all that has happened here to PSSI just the way it was," Budi was quoted by Antara as saying.

Sofyan said he was unhappy about some of the referee's decisions.

In Bandung, Persikab of Bandung regency crushed visitors Persikota of Tangerang mayoralty 2-1 in another western division match at Sangkuriang stadium on Sunday.

Persikota took the lead first after Francis Younga kicked a goal just three minutes into the first half, thanks to a cross from Ritham Matubun.

Anton Hermawan equalized in the 33rd minute and Irian Jaya- born Jhon Korputy extended Persikab's lead in the 45th minute.

"We were surprised to see Persikab rebound so quickly. Our flash goal didn't demoralize them," Persikota's coach Rahmat Darmawan said after the match.

In Medan, North Sumatra, host PSMS tied in a scoreless draw with Semen Padang from West Sumatra at Teladan stadium here.

Semen Padang manager Hamdan Anwar said that the result met his expectations, while PSMS manager HMT Aritonang and coach Suimin expressed dissatisfaction over their team's poor performance.

In Bontang, East Kalimantan, the 2000 league defending champions Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) defeated visitors Pelita Solo of Surakarta 4-1 in an eastern division match at Mulawarman stadium here on Sunday.

Punaryo Astaman kicked two goals in the 2nd and 33rd minute respectively, while Zulkifli scored in the 26th minute and Khaifar in the 70th minute. Seto Nurdianto earned a consolation goal for the losers in the 82nd minute. (ivy)