Persita gets out of relegation zone with win over Persijatim
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Under a pouring rain, Persita earned only its second win, 1-0 over Persijatim in the 2004 season of Indonesian soccer league with the goal coming from a penalty kick at Benteng Stadium in Tangerang on Wednesday.
The goal, which was hit by Ilham Jayakesuma just before the end of the first half, gave the much-needed points to the club which moved up out of the relegation zone.
Other hosts winning their matches included runaway leader PSM, Persija, PSMS, Persipura and Pelita Krakatau Steel. PSPS and Semen Padang drew 0-0 and 2-2 with Persebaya and Persik respectively, Antara reported.
PSM won 1-0 over PKT Bontang but it was enough to stretch its lead to five points with 24 over Persikota and Persija. But both rivals have played three less matches than the Makassar club.
Persija beat PSS Sleman 2-0 at the Lebak Bulus Stadium. The Jakarta club has collected 19 points, equal with Persikota but the latter has better goal difference.
Wednesday's fixtures saw a swift jump by Persipura Jayapura from 12th to sixth place after it crushed bottom dwellers Deltras Sidoarjo 6-1 in Jayapura.
At the Benteng Stadium, Persita pushed forward from the start in an effort to win the match. Short passes were dominant in the home side's aggressive play with Zaenal Arief up in front.
But their efforts were foiled many times by a strong Persijatim defense, which comprised Mashadi, Adriano and Maman Abdul Rahman.
With the rain getting heavier, it became harder for them to develop plays. Persita players, with instructions from coach M. Basri on the touchline, shifted to long passes, a tactic that proved effective in creating more goal chances.
In one of their attacking courses, Zaenal was fed a well- passed ball. The national striker broke away past Persijatim defenders but goalkeeper Ferry Rotinsulu tackled him hard in a one-on-one challenge when the striker appeared to have ample space for a shot on target.
Referee Aeng Suarlan pointed to the penalty box from which Ilham successfully slotted home the ball in the 44th minute.
Persijatim tried hard in the second half to find an equalizer. While the rain did not show any signs of receding, the match inspector nearly called the game, but was met with protests from Persita.
Persita had to play out the remaining ten minutes without its coach on the sidelines after he was expelled for arguing with the referee.
Wednesday's results: Persija 2 - PSS 0 PSPS 0 - Persebaya 0 PSM 1 - PKT 0 PSMS 2 - Persela 0 Persipura 6 - Deltras 1 Pelita KS 2 - PSIS 1 Semen Padang 2 - Persik 2 Persita 1 - Persijatim 0