PSM, Persija move up the ladder
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
PSM beat Deltras Sidoarjo 1-0 in Makassar on Sunday to take the lead in the Indonesian soccer league standings, while a controversial goal gave Persija a win to remain in title race.
The only goal for PSM was made by Ronal Pagundes in the 46th minute at the Mattoangin Stadium, Antara reported.
PSM is at the top of the 18-club standings with 21 points, with Persikota second at 19. But the latter has two games in hands.
Deltras, which has yet to win this season, remains at the bottom with just one point.
Persija elevated to third with 16 points thanks to Argentinean Gustavo Chena's only goal in defeating PSIS Semarang 1-0 at the Lebak Bulus stadium in Jakarta.
Chena headed home from a corner kick by Ritham Madubun in the 77th minute in the match, which was aired live on Anteve. Persija played with ten men throughout most of the second half after Djet Donald was expelled for two yellow cards.
However, the goal prompted a wild protest from PSIS players who believed Persija striker Emmanuel De Porras elbowed goalkeeper I Komang Putra when both had leapt for the ball at the goal line.
A slow motion replay showed that Komang was on course to catch the ball when De Porras, who jumped shoulder-to-shoulder with the keeper, had his elbow on Komang's shoulder, and possibly his head. Komang fell to the ground in a heap and Chena's header dropped into the back of the net.
Amid some unruly protests, while the referee Sutiono tried to discuss it with his colleagues, they decided the goal stood and ordered the match, which was halted for around ten minutes, to continue.
The rest of the game saw PSIS players angrily trying to retaliate on De Porras with harsh fouls but the referee failed again to show any yellow or red cards.
In Medan, Persebaya suffered its first league defeat when it fell 3-0 to host PSMS. The clubs now have 15 points each, equal with PSIS and Persib, which did not play on Sunday.
Sunday's results: Pelita KS 2 - PSS 0 Persija 1 - PSIS 0 PSPS 4 - Persela 1 PSM 1 - Deltras 0 PSMS 3 - Persebaya 0 Persipura 3 - PKT 4 Semen Padang 1 - Persijatim 1