PSM keeps hopes of quarterfinal alive

JAKARTA (JP): Former amateur champion PSM Ujungpandang is on course for a berth in the Indonesian League soccer championship quarterfinals after taming Putra Samarinda 1-0 on Sunday.

Irian Jaya striker Izak Fatari scored the winner for the South Sulawesi team 10 minutes from the final whistle. The lone goal was the reward for the home crowd which saw their team pile on persistent pressure throughout the match.

Antara reported the ensuing celebration almost turned into a mass brawl. Dozens of local supporters forced their way into the pitch after seeing angry Putra Samarinda players rush to referee Wardiono to protest his decision to allow the goal.

The East Kalimantan players insisted Izak was off-side when he headed home the ball deflected by their goalkeeper Agus Setiawan.

Security personnel were quick to calm the angry mob and prevent serious damage to Mattoangin Stadium, but it led to a five-minute game stoppage.

The win moved PSM to second in the Eastern Conference standings with 12 points after seven games. Pupuk Kalimantan Timur Bontang remained five points clear on top after a goalless draw with Persipura in Jayapura on Sunday.

PSM was tied with Persiba Balikpapan and Persma Manado, but the last two have deficit goals records and more games played.

There was also home crowd jubilation in Bandung when former champion Persib narrowly beat PSBL Lampung 1-0 at Siliwangi Stadium in a match between two bottom-placed teams of the Western Conference subgroup B.

Dadang Rusmana struck the solitary goal four minutes after the break in a melee in PSBL's box. The win was sweet revenge for Persib which lost 0-2 in Bandarlampung last November.

Persib was missing five key players but managed to maintain its quick pace. Its lack of composure in the finishing touch cost its numerous goal scoring chances.

The Bandung side has now collected seven points after six games, still five points behind leader Petrokimia Gresik which was held 2-2 at home by Persita Tangerang.

Semen Padang scored the biggest win of the day, 3-0 over city rival PSP, to move within sight of the quarterfinals. The West Sumatran team now tops the Western Conference subgroup A on better goal difference than PSMS Medan. Both PSP and PSMS have 14 points after eight matches. (amd)