Persma outshines PSIS 2-1

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Persma Manado of North Sulawesi surprisingly outclassed defending champion PSIS Semarang 2-1 in the sixth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) at Jendral Soedirman University soccer field here on Thursday.

Persma's foreign player Maboang Kessack began the victorious day with his first goal in the 8th minute of the first half. Substitute Anton Wahyudi of PSIS equalized in the 52nd minute.

Persma intensified its attack. In the 73rd minute, Persma took the lead with 2-1 after Mayie Waroka produced another goal. PSIS, who took over the Ligina title from Persebaya Surabaya last year, failed to compensate.

"Persma plays better than us. We accept this defeat," said PSIS coach Edy Paryono after the match.

Edy also dismissed analysis from soccer observers that the absence of its foreign player Mbweah Emille helped produce the loss. Emille got a red card when his team played Persipura Jayapura 2-1 at the same stadium last week.

"It's not because Emille is absent that we were defeated. But his absence shook our team's balance. The Manado team is stronger. In the future, we would need more skillful strikers," he said.

Persma coach, Benny Dolo, expressed his satisfaction over the victory. "Since the beginning, we're optimistic that our team will win."(45)