Semen Padang, PSM register opening wins

Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang

Semen Padang and PSM Makassar chalked up wins in their opening matches of the top-eight round of the Indonesian soccer league in Padang, West Sumatra, on Sunday.

Semen Padang defeated Barito Putra of Banjarmasin 2-0, while PSM took its 1-0 win at the expense of defending champion Persija Jakarta.

The four teams are drawn in Group K, while Group L, which is being held in Gresik, East Java, features host Petrokimia Putra, Persita Tangerang, Persipura of Papua and Arema Malang.

Top two teams in each group will qualify for the semifinals, to be played in Jakarta.

At Agus Salim Stadium, Padang, Ellie Aiboy and Nico Susanto were the scorers for the host.

Playing before 20,000 of their own supporters, Semen Padang players looked under pressure in the early minutes of the first half.

They made a flurry of mistakes but Barito players appeared to be unconfident about their own play and so were not able to capitalize on the home side's weaknesses.

Despite an uninteresting game, the two teams managed to create a score of chances, but none could be converted into a goal.

Entering the second half, Paulus Krey and Nico Susanto came off the bench, the fielding of both giving Semen Padang fire in the attack.

Through a nice piece of teamwork between Kusdianto, Erol FX Iba and Nico Semen Padang broke the duck in 60th minute, courtesy of Ellie Eboy.

Trailing a goal, Barito tried to mount an offense, which forced the home side to stay back in defense during the following spell. But a tight defense prevented the visitors from snatching an equalizer.

Instead, their open attack backfired, which resulted in Nico adding to the scoring sheet for Semen Padang.

Paulus Krey, coming to the latching cross from Kusdianto at the right wing of Barito defense, channeled the ball to Nico, who raced to the box before firing it into the net.

In the other match played later, PSM had Miro Baldo Bento to thank for its sole goal in the third minute against Persija, which had Joko Puspito red-carded for a second bookable offense.

In Group L, Petrokimia crushed East Javanese fellow team Arema 3-0, with goals from Yance Kathehokang in the 39th and 43rd minute, and Aries Budi Prasetya in the 51st.

In the second match in the group, Persita beat Persipura 2-1.