Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fallen giants
Two famous sides currently struggling in the ISL collide at the Siliangi Stadium in Bandung. PSMS host Arema buoyed by their late, late show against Persik at the weekend when new signing Esteban secured three points deep in injury time with a close range nod.
But neither side has impressed this season and both are in the bottom half of the table.
Both started the season poorly and both have chopped and changed their coaching staff while at the same time looked to invest in some quality to draw them out of the unfamiliar territory.
Arema sorely lacked goals during the first half of the season ever since Emile Mbamba was suspended. During the mid season break they signed Chilean striker Patricio Morales, back for his second spell, and looked close to snapping up Franco Hita before he went elsewhere.
They have added Leo Chitescu and with Arief Suryono pulling the strings in midfield the Arema fans, eternal optimists as football fans usually are, looked forward to a steady climb up the table.
But it was not to be. Defeats against bitter rivals Persik and champions Sriwijaya have left the Malang side 10 points off the top 4 and a bloody great mountain to climb.
It’s difficult to see them getting anything against PSMS this afternoon. The Medan side welcome back Brazilian playmaker Zada and also have the likes of Elie Aiboy and Rachmat Affandi finding some form.
Victory for PSMS would see them rise to 12th while should Arema collect a win bonus they would climb to 9th. Still far from where their fans feel they should be.
But neither side has impressed this season and both are in the bottom half of the table.
Both started the season poorly and both have chopped and changed their coaching staff while at the same time looked to invest in some quality to draw them out of the unfamiliar territory.
Arema sorely lacked goals during the first half of the season ever since Emile Mbamba was suspended. During the mid season break they signed Chilean striker Patricio Morales, back for his second spell, and looked close to snapping up Franco Hita before he went elsewhere.
They have added Leo Chitescu and with Arief Suryono pulling the strings in midfield the Arema fans, eternal optimists as football fans usually are, looked forward to a steady climb up the table.
But it was not to be. Defeats against bitter rivals Persik and champions Sriwijaya have left the Malang side 10 points off the top 4 and a bloody great mountain to climb.
It’s difficult to see them getting anything against PSMS this afternoon. The Medan side welcome back Brazilian playmaker Zada and also have the likes of Elie Aiboy and Rachmat Affandi finding some form.
Victory for PSMS would see them rise to 12th while should Arema collect a win bonus they would climb to 9th. Still far from where their fans feel they should be.
# posted by Me @ 7:36 AM 
