PSPS earns draw with Persija in Mandiri soccer league

JAKARTA (JP): Host Persija was held to a scoreless draw with PSPS Pekanbaru of Riau in first round action of the Bank Mandiri soccer league at Lebak Bulus Stadium on Thursday.

PSPS attributed the favorable result to coach Parlin Siagian's strategy to blanket Persija's Brazilian playmaker Luciano Leandro and striker Budi Sudarsono.

PSPS was easily able to thwart the attacks of Persija's wingers Imran Nahumarury and Budiman.

Leandro was marked by three PSPS players -- Risdianto, and defenders Bertin and Khoirul Minan, preventing him from feeding veteran strikers Widodo C. Putro and Budi.

In the second half, Persija coach Andi Lala replaced Widodo with rising star Gendut Doni Christiawan, but the move failed to pay dividends, even after PSPS's Ikram Selang was ejected.

In Padang, West Sumatra, Antara reported that the Jakarta Football Club -- formerly Persija of East Jakarta -- defeated host PSP 2-0 at H. Agus Salim Stadium.

Ismet Sofyan netted the first goal for Jakarta FC in the 64th minute and teammate Agus Sutikno extended his club's lead in the 85th minute.

In Bandung, Semen Padang fell to host Persikab 3-2. The loss was especially disappointing because the visitors took the early lead on two first half goals by strikers Kusdianto and Buyung Ismu.

The game looked certain to end in a 2-2 draw after Persikab's Devtendi netted a goal in the 14th minute and Anton Hermawan scored an equalizer in the 76th minute.

But Semen Padang goalkeeper Zulkarnain Z. left his net open and young striker Beny Kunkun sealed victory for the hosts seven minutes before the final whistle.

In Surakarta, Central Java, host Pelita defeated Gelora Dewata of Bali 2-0 at Manahan Stadium.

Former national player Seto Nurdianto volleyed home a goal in the 15th minute off a pass from Indrianto. In the 43rd minute Pelita's Nurul Huda failed to score on a penalty kick, which was awarded after Gelora's Kadek floored I Made Pasek Wijaya in the penalty box.

In the 80th minute, veteran Pelita player Ansyari Lubis fired a shot past goalie Eri Abdullah after connecting on a pass from Pasek.

In Jepara, visiting team Arema Malang protested its 1-1 draw with host Persijap and refused to sign the match result.

Arema argued that Adi Pranugroho's goal in the 89th minute on a penalty kick was invalid, but referee Sumardjono approved the result. Sumardjono awarded the penalty kick after spotting an Arema player handling the ball in the penalty box.

Arema's lone goal came off the foot of Nanang Subriady in the ninth minute.

In Bontang, East Kalimantan, Persma Manado crushed host Putra Samarinda (Pusam) 3-1 at Mulawarman Stadium. (ivy)