PSM wins 1st points in Asian Champions League

Andi Hajramurni, Makassar

Though already eliminated from the Asian Champions League, PSM Makassar of Indonesia came out strong in its Group F match against Hoang Anh Gia Lai of Vietnam on Wednesday, posting a 3-0 victory for its first points of the competition.

Poenaryo Astaman, Andi Oddang Moestamu and Syamsul Bachri Haeruddin each scored for the host team to avenge a 5-1 defeat in their away match. It was PSM's first points in five matches.

At the Mattoangin Stadium, PSM immediately put the pressure on its opponent to force Gia Lai onto a defensive footing from the opening whistle and was never able to get itself into the game.

Captain Poenaryo put the hosts in front with a goal in the 16th minute. With 5,000 fans rooting them on, PSM continued to create goal chances but were unable to cash in, going into the half with a 1-0 lead.

PSM's final two goals came in the last six minutes of the match on strikes from Andi Odang and Syamsul.

Referee Birendra Bahadur of Nepal handed out two yellow cards during the match, one to PSM's Paulus Anton and the other to Gia Lai's Huynh Van Tuoi.

PSM manager Kadir Halid was pleased with the victory, saying that it was good to finally get some points.

In another Group F match, unbeaten Dalian Shide downed Thailand's Krung Thai Bank 3-1 to clinch a berth in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, AP reported.

The China giant atop Group F became the first group winner to join defending champion Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the last eight.

Slovenian striker Ermin Siljak scored twice to reach eight goals in this year's competition, as host Dalian rallied from a goal down against Krung Thai Bank.

The Thais opened the scoring with Rungroj Sawangsri's shot glancing in off a Chinese defender in the 27th minute, only the second goal conceded by Dalian in five group games.

Siljak equalized from a penalty just before halftime and headed in a cross in the 79th minute. Two minutes later, substitute Hao Haidong converted another penalty kick to make it 3-1.

Dalian remained unbeaten in its last seven home games over two years.

Also on Tuesday, Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates defeated 10-man Al Shorta of Iraq 3-2 in Group C, and in Group D unbeaten Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 with Al Arabi of Kuwait, while Sepahan of Iran beat Uzbek host Neftchi 3-1.

Sharjah's victory in Damascus, Syria, moved it into a tie atop Group C with idle Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia on seven points, while Al Shorta remained winless and without a point. The Group C coleaders meet on May 18 with host Sharjah requiring only a draw to advance on goal difference.