Sunday, December 20, 2009
Persik's Christmas Carol
Clean sheets aren't something you would normally associate with Persik Kediri who have made a name for themselves as a carefree attacking side where defenders were ususally reluctant at best and wholly out of position ar worse.
But not anymore it seems. As we enter the festive season, and as Indonesians discover Ebeneezer Scrooge for the first time, the two time champions have developed a defensive stability that you would more associate with George Graham era Arsenal sides.
OK we may argue that they got away with it yesterday against Persebaya. But the table shows a 1-0 win. It records three points and a clean sheet and Andi Odang's efforts will soon be forgotten.
The victory at 10th November Stadium in Surabaya was their third on the spin, a run of form that has seen them climb to 5th spot in the ISL, seven points behind Arema but with a game in hand.
They may not be as recklessly pleasing on the eye as the 2006 team that Daniel Roekito guided to title glory. Then we had the Latin trio of Christian Gonzales, Ronald fagundez and Danilo Fernando pulling the strings of an entertaining side that scored with gay abandon and kept its fingers crossed when it came to defensive duty.
Not as spectacular maybe but yesterday they still had the guts to go with three up top as Yongki Aribowo returned from SEA Games duty to partner Saktiawan Sinaga and Patricio Morales.
I understand from some Persija people that they were unimpressed with the White Lions as they played out a 0-0 at Lebak Bulus. Be that as it may, I am looking forward to seeing if Persik can maintain their upward momentum when they take on Persitara at the weekend.
But not anymore it seems. As we enter the festive season, and as Indonesians discover Ebeneezer Scrooge for the first time, the two time champions have developed a defensive stability that you would more associate with George Graham era Arsenal sides.
OK we may argue that they got away with it yesterday against Persebaya. But the table shows a 1-0 win. It records three points and a clean sheet and Andi Odang's efforts will soon be forgotten.
The victory at 10th November Stadium in Surabaya was their third on the spin, a run of form that has seen them climb to 5th spot in the ISL, seven points behind Arema but with a game in hand.
They may not be as recklessly pleasing on the eye as the 2006 team that Daniel Roekito guided to title glory. Then we had the Latin trio of Christian Gonzales, Ronald fagundez and Danilo Fernando pulling the strings of an entertaining side that scored with gay abandon and kept its fingers crossed when it came to defensive duty.
Not as spectacular maybe but yesterday they still had the guts to go with three up top as Yongki Aribowo returned from SEA Games duty to partner Saktiawan Sinaga and Patricio Morales.
I understand from some Persija people that they were unimpressed with the White Lions as they played out a 0-0 at Lebak Bulus. Be that as it may, I am looking forward to seeing if Persik can maintain their upward momentum when they take on Persitara at the weekend.
# posted by Me @ 11:48 AM 
