PSIS and Persija improve their chances

PSIS and Persija improve their chances

JAKARTA (JP): PSIS Semarang and Persija Jakarta upped their
chances of winning semifinal berths by moving to the top of their
groups on the seventh day of the Indonesian Soccer League
(Ligina) playoffs at Senayan soccer stadium in Central Jakarta on
Tuesday.

PSIS Semarang, which appeared lax in its defense, tied 2-2
with Semen Padang in its Group I match. Persija won 1-0 after
managing to wear down PSM Ujungpandang's defense in the second
half of their Group II match.

PSIS Semarang, undefeated in two of three games, joined
Persebaya to top Group I with seven points. Persija, which also
has seven points, took control of Group II from PSMS Medan, which
has five points from one win and two draws in three games.

Although Semen Padang and PSM each have one more match to
play, they are out of contention for the semifinals. Semen Padang
will meet Petrokimia Putra on Friday and PSM will play PSMS Medan
on Thursday.

PSIS striker Tugiyo scored one goal in the second minute of
the first half, but Semen Padang striker Kusdianto equalized in
the 29th minute. Semen Padang captain Masykur Rauf extended his
team's lead to 2-1 in the 58th minute.

Tugiyo added another goal in the 65th minute for the draw.

Semen Padang coach Jenniwardin told reporters after the match
that his team failed to close ranks and strengthen its defense
after leading 2-1.

"PSIS players have good skills and they move very quickly. I
told our players to stay close to each other and strengthen our
defense after we led, but they disregarded my instruction," he
said.

He also asked his players to put pressure on Tugiyo as soon as
he gained possession of the ball, but his skills outshone Semen
Padang's players.

PSIS coach Edy Paryono admitted his team was kept on its
heels, leaving it unable to develop its game.

"Semen Padang plays well. Our players were under constant
pressure. They were nervous because the opponents could counter
back. They could make through passes during which the ball fell
behind our defenders."

Edy refused to bet on the result of the team's next encounter
with Persebaya on Thursday. "Let's just see," he said.

PSM displayed its offensive play and brought down Persija
captain Nur'alim, midfielder Luciano Leandro and goalie Mbeng
Jean. Nur'alim and Jean suffered injuries to the knee and hip
respectively.

"The tough play was tolerable," said Persija coach and former
national player Herry Kiswanto.

Persija relied on striker Miro Baldo Bento from Cameroon to
initiate attacks on PSM after getting the ball from midfielder
Luciano, Dedi Umarella and Wahyu Teguh who secured the center
field.

"We tried to block the players at center field to prevent PSM
players from shattering our defense. We used this strategy to
anticipate PSM who we believed would go all-out to attack our
defense," Herry said.

Asked about preferred opponents if Persija made the
semifinals, Herry said his team was prepared to face any team.

"PSIS or Persebaya are all OK for us. I once played in
Surabaya, so I have a slight understanding of the team's style,"
he said.

Wednesday's game will feature Pupuk Kaltim against Pelita
Bakrie and Petrokimia Putra meeting Persikota. (ivy)

Results:
PSIS Semarang 2 Semen Padang 2
Persija Jakarta 1 PSM Ujungpandang 0