PSM wins but fails to advance

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Indonesian soccer league runner-up PSM avenged its defeat to Maldivian side FC Victory with a 2-1 win in their Asian Cup Winners Cup first round second leg match here on Saturday.

But two goals from Miro Baldo Bento in the 20th minute and Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto in the 90th failed to make up for the 0-4 drubbing they suffered in Male on Oct. 24. The Maldivians, who scored their away goal through Friday Geeneme, qualified for the second round on superior goal difference.

Despite playing before a home crowd that filled Mattoangin Stadium, PSM failed to impress, with only a few scoring chances. Both teams were prone to playing it safe for most of the match, although PSM showed some flashes of attacking play to dominate the drizzle-disrupted first half.

PSM's manager was far from disappointed with the result, saying: "At least we maintained our record of not losing our home matches."

Some of PSM's top players, including Bima Sakti, will switch clubs in the new season, which starts in January. -- JP