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)