Persija, Persita draw; clashes mar match
Zakki Hakim, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Persita Tangerang held Persija Jakarta to a 2-2 draw in their opening match of the Indonesian soccer league here on Sunday which was marred by a clash between the players and officials from the two sides.
Meanwhile, defending champion Persik Kediri fell to a 2-1 loss to Pupuk Kaltim (PKT) Bontang in front of its own fans in Kediri, East Java.
The league's opening day ceremony was held before the Persik- PKT match and was also attended by officials of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
In Jakarta, Budi Sudarsono emerged as the savior for the home side with his late goal during injury time which helped Persija avoid an embarrassing opening day loss at home in Bung Karno Stadium.
However, with most of the home fans of perhaps 20,000 looking disappointed with the result, things spun out of control in a hurry at the end of the game.
It was not clear what triggered the melee, but soon after referee Alil Rinenggo blew the whistle to end the game, Persita midfielder Jorge Toledo was seen having a quarrel with Persija's Ismed Sofyan.
The rift prompted teammates of both players to join in the quarrel and suddenly punches and kicks were being exchanged in rapid fashion before a group of security men rushed to the field to separate the two teams.
Several home fans tried to get involved in the clash, but the police chased them away and in return had mineral water bottles being hurled at them from the stands.
Governor Sutiyoso, who was also there, went down to the field to help cool down the atmosphere.
There were no official statements made on Sunday from either club.
Meanwhile during the soccer battle, Ilham Jayakesuma delivered the two goals for Persita in the 21st minute and the 59th, before Emmanuel de Porras reduced the gap with a beautifully taken, bicycle-like kick in the 63rd.
As Persita looked to have inflicted a blow on Persija, Budi Sudarsono, who substituted in for the injured Elie Aiboy, nailed the point-saving equalizer during injury time of the second half.
In Kediri, Persik, which stole the 2003 show by taking the championship in its first crack at the premier league, went down 2-1 to PKT for its first loss at home.
As Antara reported, Persik took the lead in the ninth minute with a goal from Bob Manuel Bamidele.
PKT became more aggressive in the remaining minutes and responded through Camara Fode in the 28th minute before Zulkifli sealed the winner in the 60th minute.
The match was played after the official opening ceremony of the league led by PSSI chairman, Nurdin Halid.
The ceremony was marked by the unveiling of a giant replica ball by East Java's Governor Imam Utomo and Kediri Mayor Maschut followed by a performance of traditional dance, called Jaranan, involving 200 local dancers.
Persib was held to a 1-1 draw by PSPS Pekanbaru at the Siliwangi stadium in Bandung, West Java, while PSIS got the best of Persipura Jayapura 1-0 at the Jatidiri stadium.
Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, the match between host PSS Sleman and PSM Makassar had to be postponed after 25 minutes due to heavy rains at Tridadi Stadium.
The match will be re-played on Monday.
Sunday's complete results: Persib 1 PSPS 1 Persija 2 Persita 2 Persik 1 PKT 2 PSIS 1 Persipura 0 Pelita KS 1 Semen Padang 1 Persikota 1 PSMS 0 Persijatim 1 Deltras 0 PSS v PSM is stopped after 25 minutes due to rain and is scheduled for Monday.