Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Mitra Kukar's Good Start
Mitra Kukar come from the east of Kalimantan or the island formerly known as Borneo. They have enjoyed a flying start to the season with six wins from their opening seven games. Their only reverse came in a mad 20 minutes away to fellow Group 2 challengers when they shipped four goals.
And they have been the only goals conceded all season.
At the start of the season Mitra Kukar, who used to be NIAC Mitra in Surabaya (?), recruited Benny Dollo as coach. Dollo had just finished a two year stretch, and it seemed like jail time for us watching, with the national team before a six moth spell with Persija.
He set about putting together a squad that combined both youth and experience with the rather obvious goal of getting to the Indonesia Super League. Or the Liga Primer Indonesia.
Alex Pulalo has been around yonks with most of the bloody league I imagine. An experienced full back.
Elvis was at Persija lat year I think? Anderson Da Silva, must admit I'm confused by all this bling but wasn't he at Persebaya recently? Rully Soputan is also a familiar name but bugger know from where.
Mbom Mbom Julien was with one of the Papua teams last season, Persiram I believe while he also spent time with PSMS back when they were good.
Jalaludin Main was part of Fandi Ahmad's exciting Pelita Jaya team while Benny gave Vijay international exposure during the Grand Royal Challenge in Yangon back in 2008. Vijay has also played for PSMS and Sriwijaya.
Finally another couple of nomads. Boy Jati Asmara has warmed benches the length and breadth of the country, most recently with Persitara. And Ilham Jayakusuma...an Indonesian legend who has had more clubs than Tiger Woods. Former Persema striker Franco Hita played in Malang when it wasn't cool to do so.
A strong team then and a strong start with 16 goals from their opening 7 games, 8 from Franco Hita. Tomorrow they play Persiram away. With two games in hand on their nearest challengers, PSIM and Persik, it's a good opportunity to get some daylight between them and the rest.
# posted by Me @ 6:47 PM 
