Defeating Pelita, Persebaya moves closer to PSM

April 11, 2001

Pelita Solo had to swallow the humiliation in front of their own crowd after getting defeated 0-1 by Persebaya Surabaya. Eighteen-year-old attacking winger Rahel Tuasalamony scored the winning goal just one minute before time. With this win, Persebaya is still clawing in the second place of Eastern Conference with 26 points, three points lower than leaders PSM Makassar.

But they'll have a chance to take over the lead if they can defeat hosts PSS Sleman and fifth-placed Arema Malang can defeat visitors PSM Makassar, both on Sunday (4/15).

Rahel, who started in the second half replacing the more experienced Marzuki Bandriawan, was the hero for his team today. Pelita Solo, under new head coach Rully Nerre, came all out attack looking for a winner and for the last twenty minutes of the second half, they just totally surrounded Persebaya's defense.

But it was not so much like that in the first half. Both teams had equally good chances. Persebaya's Marzuki Bandriawan failed to capitalize on an excellent corner kick from his Brazilian teammate Deca in the tenth minute, and Andy Kopouw's excellent strike from the left side of the penalty block in the 19th minute was well-blocked by Pelita's goalkeeper, Listiyanto Rahardjo. Also a free-kick from national player Uston Nawawi from outside of Pelita's penalty box went just inches too high.

Pelita Solo also had their own shares of chances. Youngster Trimur Vedhayanto flashed individual flairs now and then and his thunderous kick, which went a little bit too wide, was one of the highlights in the first half. Pelita's national player Eko Purjianto was all over the place today, and he looked dangerous whenever he went up to support the attack.

Second half started out about the same, but as the match dragged on, Pelita's Maman, Tommy Haryanto, and Seto Nurdiyantoro put their stamps in the match. Their actions caused trouble after trouble for Persebaya's defense, and if not for the cool play of national team sweeper Sugiantoro, the final score could've been different.

According to Rudy William Keltjes, Persebaya's head coach, the goal was a result of his players' patience to soak up all their opponents' pressure. Starting from midfield when Andy Kopouw was holding the ball, he then passed it to forward Reinold Pietersz. Reinold then saw Rahel was running forward unmarked and he passed the ball to him. Rahel received the ball, and with his agility he dribbled the ball past Eko Purjianto and released a curling shot to the top left corner of Pelita's goal. One-nil in the ninety-eight minute.

After the goal, Rahel ran to Persebaya's bench to celebrate the goal and he was embraced by his jubilant teammates. In the stands behind them, Persebaya's traveling supporters were shouting and singing and chanting his name after the goal.

In another league match, Gelora Putra Delta were also humiliated at home by champions PSM Makassar. A day before the match, Gelora's head coach Sinyo Hartono said if there was one thing to be feared from PSM Makassar, that would be Indonesian international Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto. His fear was realized today after a sole goal from the striker.

As many as 20000 fans came to Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, not only watching their beloved team match up against the champions, but also hoping that they would create an upset. But at the end they had to go home disappointed.

Kurniawan's goal in the 31st minute showed how far his skills were above his markers. Marked by two Gelora's players, Agustiar Batubara and Rediyanto, Kurniawan firmly controlled the ball, dribbled past them, and shot an accurate and measured kick to the right side of goal, well out of the reaching distance of Gelora's goalie Alan Haviluddin.

The match ended was rather dull, however, because the field was in a bad shape after a hard rain just a few hours earlier. Both teams couldn't develop their best plays, resulting in not too many chances for either team.

source: Jawa Pos Online (4/12)