Saturday, June 06, 2009
Persija v Persitara 2-4
Back in February/March time when I could still get to games I was 'raving' about Persitara's attacking options. An odd thing to do seeing how they had struggled all through the first half of the season but the additions of Prince Kabir Bello, who had played with Sepahan in the ACL, and Mostapha Aji, promising with Persikota but still raw, could only complement the tireless Rahmat Rivai.
Recently they have been gelling. And how. 4-1 against Persebaya, 4-1 against Persib and now this. A comprehensive thumping of their Jakartan rivals roared on by the faithful who had made the long trip east to Malang to cheer their heroes as they fought against relegation.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and many men cometh for Persitara. Cliche it may be but when you talk about stepping up to the plate the North Jakartan side's plate is pretty bloody full these days I can tell. If only players like Adebayor could have done the same for the Arsenal.
They fell behind when a speculative drive from Leo was fumbled by the Persitara keeper and the Jaks were 1-0 up.
Then John Tarkpor levelled with a bullet free kick setting the tone for a night when Persija could only look on as quality strikes, coupled with defensive hoo hahs, cost them dear.
Tarkpor, Persitara's very own JT, has grown in stature over the last few weeks with performances that grow more immense with each passing game. He was involved in everything tonight as Persitara poured forward while Esiah Benson held things together at the back.
Second half Leo Saputra was easily brushed aside by Mostapha Aji whose pinpoint cross had former national team keeper clutching at thin air and Prince celebrating his spectacular scissors kick giving his side the lead.
Right on 90' Fabio Loes, Persija's Brazilian striker, was dispossessed, way too easily, on the edge of the Persitara area. 2-1 up with injury time looming there was only one option for Persitara and no, it wasn't row Z. The counter attack was classic Arsenal circa Pires, Bergkamp and Henry. Only it was Rahmat Rivai releasing Aji and his sumptuous drive from just inside the penalty area left Hendro with no chance.
Finally the young striker signed from Persikota was showing the form that had attracted attention last season.
Perfectionists might argue that Saputra and Lopes were to blame for the goals but purists can go rot. If there were no defensive errors football would be nothing more than a giant game of chess appealling to no bugger at all. Except perhaps George Graham.
Rahmat Rivai is another striker who has come to fore in this cavalier Persitara side and his fourth goal was worth the journey to Malang alone. A deft first touch with the outside of his right foot and an explosive finish, he deserved his goal and Persitara deserve to stay up.
There was still time for Persija to get on the score sheet...an og highlighting the role defensive blunders played in this game but what the heck. Coach Danurwindo may have some explaining to do as Persija's interminable slide into oblivion in the second half of the season shows little sign of abating.
Happy days for Persitara though. Mostapha, Tarkpor, Benson, Prince and Rahmat have combined to bring fantasy football to the unfashionable club who many doubted would even finish the season.
They are finishing with a flourish and still have the Copa Indonesia to play for.
And as for Persija? They play Persib next...
Recently they have been gelling. And how. 4-1 against Persebaya, 4-1 against Persib and now this. A comprehensive thumping of their Jakartan rivals roared on by the faithful who had made the long trip east to Malang to cheer their heroes as they fought against relegation.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and many men cometh for Persitara. Cliche it may be but when you talk about stepping up to the plate the North Jakartan side's plate is pretty bloody full these days I can tell. If only players like Adebayor could have done the same for the Arsenal.
They fell behind when a speculative drive from Leo was fumbled by the Persitara keeper and the Jaks were 1-0 up.
Then John Tarkpor levelled with a bullet free kick setting the tone for a night when Persija could only look on as quality strikes, coupled with defensive hoo hahs, cost them dear.
Tarkpor, Persitara's very own JT, has grown in stature over the last few weeks with performances that grow more immense with each passing game. He was involved in everything tonight as Persitara poured forward while Esiah Benson held things together at the back.
Second half Leo Saputra was easily brushed aside by Mostapha Aji whose pinpoint cross had former national team keeper clutching at thin air and Prince celebrating his spectacular scissors kick giving his side the lead.
Right on 90' Fabio Loes, Persija's Brazilian striker, was dispossessed, way too easily, on the edge of the Persitara area. 2-1 up with injury time looming there was only one option for Persitara and no, it wasn't row Z. The counter attack was classic Arsenal circa Pires, Bergkamp and Henry. Only it was Rahmat Rivai releasing Aji and his sumptuous drive from just inside the penalty area left Hendro with no chance.
Finally the young striker signed from Persikota was showing the form that had attracted attention last season.
Perfectionists might argue that Saputra and Lopes were to blame for the goals but purists can go rot. If there were no defensive errors football would be nothing more than a giant game of chess appealling to no bugger at all. Except perhaps George Graham.
Rahmat Rivai is another striker who has come to fore in this cavalier Persitara side and his fourth goal was worth the journey to Malang alone. A deft first touch with the outside of his right foot and an explosive finish, he deserved his goal and Persitara deserve to stay up.
There was still time for Persija to get on the score sheet...an og highlighting the role defensive blunders played in this game but what the heck. Coach Danurwindo may have some explaining to do as Persija's interminable slide into oblivion in the second half of the season shows little sign of abating.
Happy days for Persitara though. Mostapha, Tarkpor, Benson, Prince and Rahmat have combined to bring fantasy football to the unfashionable club who many doubted would even finish the season.
They are finishing with a flourish and still have the Copa Indonesia to play for.
And as for Persija? They play Persib next...
# posted by Me @ 9:05 PM 
