Persija Jakarta defeats PSMS Medan

The Kemayoran Tigers Persija Jakarta wins the first half of Season VII of Indonesian League in Western Conference after defeating PSMS Medan with a fine score of 1-0. Played in Persija's homebase at Lebak Bulus Stadium, international striker Bambang Pamungkas scored the only and winning goal for his team in the 27th minute. This is his fifth goal in the last four matches.

Playing under heavy rain, Persija was surprised by the determination shown by PSMS players. They worked hard in getting the ball off their half, and if not for the brilliant performance of Persija's playmaker Luciano Leandro, then the final result could've been different.

Bambang's goal was started by Luciano's excellent throughball to Budiman, who then cleverly crossed the ball to the penalty box. There waiting Bambang, whom was dubbed 'the King of Air' last season, and he headed in a beautiful header past the hapless PSMS goalie Sahari Gultom.

Meanwhile, at Sangkuriang Staidum in Cimahi, West Java, Persikab Kab. Bandung had a 5-1 goal galore against their visitors, PSP Padang. This big win should keep Persikab's fans happy for a while after their home defeat at the hands of PSMS Medan just three days earlier.

Suladi scored for the home team just two minutes after the start and he doubled the lead thirteen minutes later. Anton Hermawan tripled the lead in the 30th minute, and he added another one in the second half in the 61st minute. But before that, Zailani scored the fourth goal for his team just two minutes after the second half started.

The only consolation goal for PSP was scored by Zunaidi ML in the 75th minute.

Moving on to the Eastern Conference, Petrokimia Putra of Gresik failed to capitalize their home advantage after being held to a draw by minnows Persijap Jepara. Playing in front of capacity crowd of 15000 Ultrasmania (Petrokimia's fans), the team was held at 2-2.

Petrokimia shouldn't have lost the mach because they were leading by a two-goal margin. Sasi Kirono scored from a free-kick in the 15th minute, and striker Gatot Indra added another beautiful one in the 38th minute.

But credits must be given to the Persijap boys. They never gave up even though Petrokimia players were pressing on them all the time. They were always disciplined in guarding their zones, and at times launched dangerous-looking counterattacks. And it was from these counterattacks that they equalized.

First goal occurred after a misunderstanding between Sasi Kirono and Edi Rusli in the 67th minute. Sasi was making a back pass to Edi, but the ball was kick too softly, and out of nowhere came Persijap's striker Adi Pranugraha stealing the ball, dribbling the ball a little before kicking the ball into the net past the stunned Petrokimia goalie Mukti Ali Raja.

The second goal happened in the 73rd minute after Anjar JW stole the ball from the exhausted Sasi Kirono. Anjar then passed the ball to the unmarked Adi Pranugroho who shot the ball into the goal. The first shot was parried by Mukti Ali Raja, but unfortunately for him it fell to the feet of Adi again, and this time, he didn't waste the chance. Persijap had equalized.

Petrokimia, both fans and the team, were obviously disappointed with this result. Petrokimia's head coach, Sanusi Rachman, shut himself out and refused to give any comment to the press. Only the team manager Imam Supardi gave a comment saying that his team was underestimating the guests.

from Jawa Pos Online