Petrokimia crashes at home to PSM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Defending champ Petrokimia Gresik lost 2-1 at home to PSM Makassar in their Indonesian soccer league match in Gresik, East Java, on Thursday.

Brazilian Rodrigo Santos put the home side in front in the 25th minute, but PSM responded three minutes later with a goal from Christian Gonzales. Then seven minutes later Ortisan Salosa found the back of the net for what would prove to be the winning goal for PSM, Antara reported.

While praising PSM, Petro manager Imam Supardi said his players had failed to perform up to their usual standard.

"The lads did not display a battling performance, particularly on defense. But PSM played well," he said.

At the Lebak Bulus Stadium in Jakarta, Persija drubbed PSDS Deli Serdang 4-0 to chalk up its first victory in the league after three defeats and a draw.

Imran Nahumaruri scored twice for Persija while his fellow national player Bambang Pamungkas and Alexander Pulalo each tickled the back of the net.

In Salatiga, Persijatim's 1-0 victory over PSPS Pekanbaru was marred by an ugly incident when PSPS and national goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko punched the referee.

Hendro was angry by what he saw as referee Subandi's bad calls in favor of the home side, including annulling a goal by Kurniawan Dwi Julianto for a questionable offside call.

Eka Ramdani scored the only goal of the match 10 minutes before the final whistle. After Subandi blew the whistle, Hendro ran up to him and punched him, knocking the referee to the turf.

The incident prompted the crowd to begin hurling plastic bottles at the visiting team, forcing the PSPS players to remain in the middle of the pitch for 10 minutes waiting for the police to usher them to safety.