PSM keeps hopes of quarterfinal alive

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)