PSM bows out to Shandong Luneng of China in Asian Champions Cup
PSM bows out to Shandong Luneng of China in Asian Champions Cup
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Host PSM's ambition to take the
first day win went up in smoke as it bowed out 1-3 to Shandong
Luneng of China before a home crowd in Wednesday's second match
of the Asian Champions Cup quarterfinals round East Asia zone at
Mattoangin Stadium.
Both teams started to attack as soon as referee Halim Abdul
Hamid of Malaysia blew his whistle.
PSM -- without injured Carlos de Mello, Joseph Lewono and
Fouda Ntsama whose absences later proved to be fatal -- started
to launch attacks from midfield.
The host team became frustrated under pressure from its own
supporters, which was taken advantage of by Shandong to produce
counterattacks.
Shandong scored the first goal after Paraguayan Wilberto
Delvalle Casiano was tackled by Ronny Ririn at the 15th minute in
the penalty box.
Nagorniak Serguei successfully executed the penalty, which
fell to PSM goalkeeper Hendro Kartiko's right side.
With a 1-0 disadvantage, PSM's Bima Sakti cooperated with
Suwandhi to launch more attacks from midfield, trying to equalize
the score and leading to four good chances.
Striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto had two chances at the 33rd and
39th minutes when he did a solo run passing five Shandong
defenders. Unfortunately, he failed to follow through when he
sent the ball widely out to the right of Zhang Teng Sheng's net.
PSM intensified its attack in the last minutes of the first
half, leaving Shandong in a defensive play powered by Casiano,
Serguei and Li Xiaopeng.
Entering the second half, Shandong slowed the rhythm but PSM
players still failed to score any goals.
Shandong Li Xiaopeng netted the second goal at the 51st minute
and five minutes later Li Mang secured the 3-1 lead.
Disappointed home fans started to leave the stadium before the
match ended.
PSM's only goal was made by Iswadi, substituting unproductive
Miro Baldo Bento and cooperating with Yusrifar Jafar at the 90th
minute.
Asian Football Confederation (AFC) media officer B. Sanjeevan
praised both matches of the day, saying they went well in an
orderly manner. (27)