PSM wins 1st points in Asian Champions League
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.