PSP Padang draws with Persija

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Host PSP Padang forced a 0-0 draw with star-studded Persija of Jakarta in the second qualifying round of the Bank Mandiri national soccer league at Haji Agus Salim stadium here on Sunday.

The home team was close to victory when Romus Syahputra escaped tight marking by Persija defenders but failed to kick a cross pass from Jose Hendrique de Souza.

The match had to be halted after the disappointed spectators bombarded players with rubbish.

During the match, which saw hard tackling and pushing, referee Ferdinand Duha was forced to issue four yellow cards for Ebanda Timothy, Agus Suprianto and Gendut Doni Christiawan of Persija, and Doni Syafri of PSP. (28)