Seven Goals, Seven Cards

The match between Persebaya Surabaya and Putra Samarinda (Pusam) was not only entertaining because of the amount of goals scored in the game, but also for the amount of cards the referee had to give out: four yellow cards and three red ones.

Persebaya continues on with their winning streak and thrashed Pusam 5-2. Playing with high spirits and determination, Agung Setyabudi of Persebaya surprised everyone with a goal from a free-kick in the 6th minute. Afterwards, Persebaya controlled the match and several more chances were created, but none materialized.

In the 35th minute, Reinold "Koko" Pieterz doubled the lead with a header after a corner kick pass from teammate Uston Nawawi. The ball went to the left top corner of the goal without anything on the way.

Two minutes later, however, Persebaya had to lose their left full-back Mat Halil after receiving a second yellow card. Because of this expulsion, head coach Rudy W. Keltjes had to replace one of his attackers with a more defensive-minded one, so in Hartono replacing Andy Kopouw.

With an extra one man, Pusam came out attacking and it paid off, but that's just after Koko scored his second goal in the 52nd minute. In the 53rd minute, Pusam's German striker Delano Ketter was tackled in the penalty box by Persebaya defender M. Ikhsan, and Pusam's skipper Yance Katehokang successfully netted the penalty kick to reduce the gap.

Ironically, however, it was Yance who got sent off seven minutes later after intentionally kicking Agung Setyabudi and this incited a little brawl among players from the both teams. Referee Jajat Sudrajat then gave Yance a red card.

With ten players for each side, both teams and looked about equal, until the 75th minute when youngster Rahel Tuasalamony, right, scored the fourth goal for his team after a failed attempt of offside-trap by Pusam defenders. Two minutes later, however, Hartono was sent off the pitch after receiving his second yellow card of the game.

Rahel then completed his fine performance with his second goal of the game and his fifth of the season in the 85th minute. Not too bad for a 17-year-old player, who plays not as a striker, but as an attacking winger.

Pusam's German striker John Ketter headed in the final goal of the match after a crossing from another foreigner Samuel Cebli to make the final score 5-2.

Across the province in Gresik, hosts Petrokimia Putra defeated last year's runners-up PKT Bontang 3-1 at the Tri Dharma Stadium. Mercurial striker Zainal Ikhwan scored twice in the 15th and 24th minutes, and Eko Budi Santoso completed the victory in the 29th minute. The only consolation goal for PKT came from their midfielder Supriansyah on the 66th minute.

"Petro performed very well this time. PKT players cannot develop good teamwork or a solid defense," said PKT's team manager, Arif Budi Santoso, as was quoted by Antara.

"We are very excited because we beat PKT. They are a tough team, but I wonder why they performed so poorly today," said Petrokimia's team manager, Imam Supardi.

From Central Java, defending champions PSM Makassar defeated hosts Persijap Jepara 3-1 after a hat-trick from Cameroonian striker Fouda Ntsama in the 20th, 53rd, and 66th minutes. PSM thoroughly outclasses the hosts, who just got promoted from the First Division this season. After the final whistle was blown, many Persijap fans went into the field to approach the many stars of PSM Makassar. Most of the guys -- and girls - tried to shake hands or touch the likes of Bima Sakti, Fouda Ntsama, and especially Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, left, and not few of them even asked the players to give them their jerseys as souvenirs.

In the Western Conference, PSBL Bandar Lampung defeated Persiraja Banda Aceh 2-0 courtesy of goals from their attacking midfielder Meiyadi Rakasiwi (pen 16') and newly-acquired striker Filipe A. Cortez (55').

In Tangerang, West Java, supporters threw missiles onto the soccer field following their team's 2-1 win over visitor PSP Padang at Benteng Stadium. Persikota took an early lead in the 26th minute when Cameron international Francis Yonga volleyed home a goal thanks to a pass from Saphou Lassy. PSP's Masril M. equalized through a penalty shoot in the 56th minute, but Lassy ended the match for Persikota in the 80th minute. from various sources

from various sources