Preview: PSM Makassar vs Shandong Luneng

On the paper, Shandong Luneng is not as deadly as Jubilo Iwata or Suwon Samsung. Maybe that's what makes PSM Makassar certain that they'll be able to steal some points off of the Chinese champions at the opening of Asian Champions Cup on Wednesday (3/21) at the Mattoangin Stadium.

At Asian clubs competitions, Shandong may not make a name for themselves just yet. Just like PSM Makassar, whose first appearance in 1995 ended in total failure.

But if one looks at each club's matches on the way to this quarterfinal, then PSM looks the more impressive side. Shandong luckily had a bye in the first round, and then met Singaporean champions Home United in the second round. They won on 6-1 aggregate.

PSM Makassar, on the other hand, thrashed Vietnamese champions Song Lam Nghe An on 4-1 aggregate in the first round. In the second round, they became even more impressive by completely demolishing Thai champions Royal Thai Air Force on 11-1 aggregate.

"This is the match that will decide whether PSM can make it to the next round. If we win, then the door will be opened for us to compete with Jubilo Iwata and Suwon Samsung," said PSM general manager Kadir Halid firmly.

The calculation is, if they win against Shandong, then they only need to get a point from either Jubilo or Suwon. Any teams with four points will likely be the group's runners-up and advance to the semifinals.

But it's not all that easy. Coached by Yugoslav Doko Kokovic, Shandong comes to Makassar full force, including Chinese international striker Su Maozhen and three additional foreign legionnaires. Motivation is also high, since this is their only chance to fix their reputation after shameful start in domestic league.

PSM themselves will most likely lose their playmaker, Brazilian Carlos de Mello. Up until last Saturday, his left ankle has not fully healed yet after being harshly tackled by a Persema Malang player in a league match.

"It's going to be hard without Carlos, because he has accurate passings and very good in set pieces," said Syamsuddin Umar, PSM Makassar's head coach.

His replacement? Miro Baldo Bento, who has been often placed as second striker. This plan will shatter, however, if Cameroonian striker Fouda Ntsama, who is also injured, is not fully fit for the match on Wednesday. Because if this is the case, then Bento will have to be pushed up to pair with Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, and this will leave an empty space just behind the two strikers.

PSM Makassar will also have to tighten their defense, since both of Shandong's strikers - Su Maozhen and Paraguayan Casiano Wilberto del Ruiz - are very deadly. Ruiz was even Chinese League top scorer in 1999. Ronny Ririn, PSM's central defender, will be assigned to man-marked one of them, and organize the defensive line of the hosts.

from BolaNews Sportsline