SP, PSM, Persita march into semifinals
Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang
Semen Padang, PSM Makassar and Persita Tangerang qualified for the semifinals of the Indonesian soccer league with wins on Wednesday.
In the second round of Group K matches, which were held in Padang, West Sumatra, the host team crushed defending champion Persija Jakarta 3-0 while PSM overcame Barito Putra 2-1.
Both teams have collected six points in the group and no matter the outcome of the final group matches on Saturday, Semen Padang and PSM cannot be caught in the final standings.
Meanwhile in Group L in Gresik, East Java, Persita was the first team to go through to Jakarta, the venue of the semifinals, winning its second group match against Arema Malang 1-0.
The remaining group qualifier will be either Persipura of Papua or Petrokimia Gresik, who played on Wednesday with the visiting team winning 2-1.
In Padang, the home team jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a first-half goal by Agus Santiko. Carlos Renato Ellias and Suwarno added second-half goals to complete the scoring for Semen Padang.
The match was a high tempo affair played out in front of about 20,000 spectators at the Agus Salim Stadium.
Both teams kept up their attacks throughout the match, creating a handful of goal chances. But it was Semen Padang which was able to capitalize on its chances.
The match was just three minutes old when Agus put the host in front with a stunning goal after receiving a header from Carlos Renato Ellias. The ball crashed into the net behind the helpless goalkeeper, Mbeng Jean.
Down a goal, Persija stepped up its attack, but was unable to break through the solid defensive wall of Padang's Jung Sunday, Ellias and Rommy Diaz Putra.
In the second half, Ellias scored in the 75th minute to double Semen Padang's lead. And in the 86th minute, Suwarno put the issue beyond doubt, going past two defenders to find the back of the net.
"We did our best, but the result was not what we expected," Persija coach Mundari Karya said after the match.
In the second match in Padang, Miro Baldo Bento gave PSM the victory over Barito with a penalty kick after Bako Sadissou fouled Joseph Lewono in the box.
The two teams finished the first half on level terms, with Colly Misrun scoring for PSM in the 33rd minute and Bako Sadissou evening the score for Barito only a minute later.