Monday, May 17, 2010
Ending the season with a whimper
It's fair to say at the start of the current campaign not many people tipped Arema to win the ISL. In conversations before the season began back in October people's favourites seemed to be Persipura, Sriwijaya, Persib in my case and one brave soul tipped Pelita Jaya as a good outside bet.
Today two of the fancied teams meet head to head in a game that will have no impact on either team's season. Persib, 4th with 47 points, host Sriwijaya, 7th on 44, at Siliwangi Stadium.
Sriwijaya endured their own personal week from hell last week. Their thumping by Thai Port in the AFC Cup in front of their own fans followed a different type of thumping that erupted following an Indonesia Cup tie between players and fans a few days earlier. In between fans boycotted their cup tie against Persisam.
The players threatened to boycott today's game!
Nine out of their last 11 games have been played in their home city of Palembang but they have not won in their last four meaning that their grasp on the Indonesia Cup, which they have won in the last two years, is looking increasingly slender.
In the league they have struggled on their travels, last earning maximum points back in February against Persik.
It's difficult to pinpoint what has gone wrong with the team nicknamed Our People's Army. I saw them play Persitara and they were trolloped 5-1.
Their squad has to be one of the best in the country. Ferry Rotinsulu, Hendro Kartiko, Isnan Ali, Christian Worabay, Charis Yulianto, Precious Emuerjeraye, Arif Suyono, Ponaryo Astaman, Zah Rahan, Mostapha Aji, Rahmat Rivai, Keith Kayamba, Richard Obiora, Toni Sucipto, Pavel Solomin.
We're not talking a bunch of duffers here. We're looking at experienced full internationals who know a thing or two about the game. Or so you would think.
Perhaps everyone has been there, done that and ate some noodles after.
Persib are also leaving their fans scratching their heads. Poor away form has bedeviled them from day one as did Cristian Gonzales' slow start to the season. Thai import Suchao Nutnum shone in those early days as did Atep and Eka Ramdani. But Suchao left at the transfer window and the Japanese geezer hasn't made a similar impression while key striker Hilton Moreiera has missed vital games.
So a game that promised much will now be little more than a contractual obligation and an opportunity to be in the shop window as the season draws to a close.
# posted by Me @ 10:47 AM 
