South Sulawesi holds East Java

JAKARTA (JP): Home favorite East Java tied South Sulawesi 3-3 in the final group of the Under-15 soccer championship in Surabaya yesterday.

The tie put both East Java and South Sulawesi into the next round at the expense of North Sumatra. All three teams collected two points from two draws, but the Sumatra side lost out in the goal difference.

The attack-minded East Javanese dominated the first half, with Andi Sidharta scoring two goals to put his team 3-1 up. The host team had a lackluster second half, allowing South Sulawesi to easily assemble a series of bottom-up assaults.

Yusran missed a penalty in the 57th minute, but quickly made amends with a goal a minute later. The hard running striker completed a hat trick in the 64th minute to embarrass the Javanese and relegate North Sumatra. (amd)