PSIS sets up final showdown with Persebaya

JAKARTA (JP): Dark horse PSIS Semarang turned the tables on Persija Jakarta in its semifinal on Thursday to set up a final showdown with defending champion Persebaya Surabaya in the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) playoffs at Senayan soccer stadium.

Persebaya failed to overcome the constant attack from PSMS Medan in the first match on Thursday. The 1-1 deadlock was not broken in overtime, but Persebaya finally succeeded in frustrating the North Sumatran team 4-2 on penalties to earn a place in Sunday's final.

Dozens of jubilant Persebaya supporters ran from the stands, carrying the team's green banners, but were quickly herded off the field by riot police.

Late on Friday, a meeting organized by the Jakarta Police decided to move the final from Senayan to a venue out of the city because of security concerns. The venue was not announced.

PSIS midfielder Ebanda Timothy scored his team's only goal, a header in the 15th minute off a pass from captain Ali Sunan.

PSIS coach Edy Paryono said the victory boosted the team's motivation and would encourage his players to play without pressure against Persebaya, which it lost to 3-0 in an earlier game of the round-robin playoffs.

"We will not be out for revenge against Persebaya. We will accept the result whether we will win or lose."

Persija coach Herry Kiswanto said his players cracked under pressure and could not raise their attack.

"I instructed them in the meeting before the game that they had to play loosely and try to make leg-to-leg passes, which is our specialty. In reality, some of them still did long passes."

He said his players' initiative in attacking in the second half was undermined by rushed efforts.

He claimed he would take full responsibility for the loss, even if the team's administrators sought his resignation.

Persebaya substitute Putut Wijarnako sealed PSMS' fate when his shot earned the third goal to end the exhausting match. Putut came on in the second half as replacement for midfielder Reinold Pitersz.

PSMS striker Jean Michel Baboaken was the first player to take the penalty, scoring the only goal for his team as teammates midfielders M. Afan Lubis, M. Baco Sadisque and defender Ardi Muliono failed.

Persebaya coach Rusdy Bahalwan praised PSMS' performance, singling out its penetration of his team's defense.

"They do short and tight passes after taking possession of the ball and it made our defenders busy. I think both teams had an equal chance to win," he said.

Disappointed PSMS coach Suimin Diharja said his team would have preferred the "England system" rule over the penalty shootout because it was fairer to both teams.

"Although after the additional two extratime periods of 15 minutes, the score was still tied 1-1, but just 15 minutes later, we lost," he said bitterly, trying to hold back tears.

He said his players were not psychologically prepared for a penalty shootout and luck was not on their side.

"The penalty is a psychological matter. Anyone could execute the penalty in front of thousands of spectators if he is prepared. Anyway, we were down on our luck. It goes to Pak Rusdy."

Clash

The dramatic match between Persebaya and PSMS Medan was marred when PSIS supporters began pelting objects such as mineral water bottles, stones and sticks at PSMS supporters in a nearby section.

The unrest spread into the next section as Persebaya supporters started pelting Persija supporters.

Calls from the league committee for the spectators to be sporting were futile. The disturbance stopped when police and military officers were deployed to secure the area.

All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar had denied after the match that the final would be moved to Cimahi in West Java, which was recommended before the playoffs began to prevent unrest.

He also pledged to visit the families of nine PSIS supporters killed in a train accident near Lenteng Agung Railway Station in South Jakarta.

"I will ask for their identities and visit them. PSSI will also give compensation to the victims' families," said Agum. (ivy)