Big Win for PSM Makassar

Defending champions PSM Makassar beat hosts Pelita Solo 1-0 at the Manahan Stadium in Surakarta, Central Java, on Sunday (2/25) in the Eastern Division of the Bank Mandiri Indonesian Football League VII.

PSM's Cameroonian striker Fouda Ntsama scored the game-winning goal in this much-anticipated meeting. PSM controlled the match from the kickoff, humiliating the hosts before their 40,000 spectators. The match itself was outstanding and both teams played fast. Striker Fouda Ntsama scored PSM's sole goal in the 20th minute taking advantage of the turmoil in the Pelita's penalty box. Pelita tried to equalize but its attacks failed to break through PSM's robust defense.

Pelita's new signing, Uzbek Ylyadev Arthur, became the motor of Pelita's rise in the second half. Pelita's striker, Seto Nurdiyantoro, who is also a regular in the Indonesian national team, had a few golden chances at PSM's goal, but none materialized.

Both teams played rough resulting in red cards for PSM striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Pelita's Aples Tecuari in the 75th minute. Kurniawan was driving the ball when Aples tackled and brought him crashing down. Both players were later on involved in an argument which was spotted by the referee.

This win was especially significant for PSM Makassar, because this was their last game in a three-game away tour in Central Java. And out of these three games, PSM were able to get the maximum of nine points.

In Banjarmasin, hosts Barito Putra continued their excellent home records by thrashing Gelora Putra Delta of East Java 4-0. Just a minute after kickoff, Bambang Harsoyo scored the first goal for Barito.

The first half of the match was dull but both teams started to play more aggressively in the second half. Bako Sadissou produced two goals in the 47th and 86th minute respectively to extend Barito's lead to 3-0 before Stephen Weah's goal gave his team a 4-0 victory.

Referee Wardiono issued a red card to Gelora's Dwi Santo in the 64th minute.

In Padang, West Sumatra, about 20,000 fans ran amok and vandalized the Agus Salim Stadium following Semen Padang's 0-1 defeat to Persib Bandung. Persib striker Yaris Riyadi scored the only goal of the match in the 60th minute and soon afterwards the spectators started to throw rocks onto the pitch. Three spectators were badly injured and the ticket stalls were burned by the enraged fans.

In Malang, East Java, the derby match between Arema and Persema had to be stopped in the 31st minute with a scoreless draw at the Gajayana Stadium after referee I Made Witarka was beaten up by Arema players.

The chaos began when Made issued a red card to Arema striker Joko Susilo after he hit Persema goalkeeper Agus Setiawan.

In Sleman, Persipura Jayapura beat hosts PSS Sleman 1-0 thanks to Victor Pulanda, who scored in the 34th minute. In Jepara, hosts Persijap overcame Persma Manado of North Sulawesi 3-1 at the Kamal Junaedi Stadium.

from The Jakarta Post and other various sources