PSIS sets up final showdown with Persebaya

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)