Persita held to 2-2 by Persib in Indonesia league
Persita held to 2-2 by Persib in Indonesia league
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang
Persita, who has lost two key players through suspension, was
held to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday by Persib Bandung in their
Indonesian soccer league's match at Benteng stadium, Tangerang.
Persita has collected only two points after three matches. It
also tied 2-2 with Persija in the season's opening match, which
erupted in a brawl that ensued in a four-year suspension for
Chilean Jorge Toledo and a four-month suspension for goalkeeper
Ahmad Kurniawan.
The team stumbled last Wednesday to a 0-2 loss to Pelita
Krakatau Steel, and Tuesday's match did not give any signs that
Persita would recover from its loss.
The home team demonstrated an open game before 15,000-odd
fans, launching a spate of attacks against its opponent, but it
failed to make a goal until the end of the first half.
Ndolar Blaise, one of its four foreign players, put Persita
ahead five minutes into the second half as fans erupted into
cheers.
Persib, the 2004 champion, responded through Julio Lopez at
the 24th minute, capitalizing on a cross from Andrian Colombo.
Three minutes later, Colombo made the best of a loose ball
from Persita goalkeeper Wawan Darmawan to bring the visiting team
to a 2-1 lead.
With only five minutes remaining, Persita equalized from the
penalty box.
A defender was adjudged to have fouled with a hand-ball inside
the box and referee Norman Alex accorded Persita a penalty kick,
prompting a protest from Persib players.
Norman stood by the call and Sadissou Bako executed the shot
successfully.
Meanwhile, Toledo decried injustice over his suspension by the
Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI).
The 28-year-old Chilean was seen among the spectators.
"I've been told I can work (play) now," he told The Jakarta
Post.
He said he had turned to the Latin American soccer association
for help by asking an official of the world soccer governing
body, FIFA, to come to Indonesia.
Toledo was suspended for assaulting a player at the end of the
Persita-Persija opening match.
"It was in self-defense. If someone steals your belongings and
you beat the thief, and you, not the thief, are punished for
beating him, is this fair?" he said.
Toledo, who receives Rp 20 million monthly, is bound to
Persita for one year under a Rp 100 million contract.
He said the PSSI was not impartial in meting out punishment,
as local players were only given light disciplinary measures.
Samsidar, Aris Indarto and Ismet Sofyan of Persija and Ahmad
Kurniawan of Persita have been suspended for four months each for
their part in the brawl.
Persita manager Ismet Iskandar, who is also Tangerang
administration head, said they had asked the PSSI to review the
sanctions.