Monday, July 24, 2017
A Familiar Look To Liga 1 As Persipura Take Top Spot
AFC Under 23 Championships
Indonesia v Malaysia 0-3
Indonesia v Mongolia 7-0
Indonesia v Thailand 0-0
1 - Malaysia 3 2 0 1 5-3 6
2 - Thailand 3 1 2 0 4-1 5
3 - Indonesia 3 1 1 1 7-3 5
4 - Mongolia 3 0 1 2 1-10 1
Indonesia'a ambitions of reaching China were over after 45 minutes in the first game against Malaysia when shocking defending saw them go 3-0 before half time. Despite putting up a better performance in the second half the damage was done. Mongolia, who had held Thailand in their opening game, were brushed aside quite comfortably thank you very much meaning Indonesia needed a win in their last game against the Thais to stand a chance of qualifying. Malaysia beating Mongolia meant that hope became zilch and both sides played out a draw in the monsoon rain. I guess Indonesia can now focus on the SEA Games?
Liga 1
Bhayangkara v Mitra Kukar 4-1 (Otavio Dutra, Paulo Sergio, Guy Junior 2; Marclei Santos) 1,450
Simon McMenemy's team went to the top of the table, albeit temporarily, after brushing aside his former club at Patriot Stadium in Bekasi. Mitra Kukar continue to struggle on their travels, they are still winless on the road and this was their fifth straight away defeat.
Semen Padang v Arema 2-0 (Vendry Mofu, Marcel Sacremento) 9,754
The return of Sacremento after a lengthy suspension saw Semen Padang return to winning ways after two draws and a loss against an Arema side that has its own problems. Their 15 goals in 17 games is the lowest total in the top half of the table and their one time miserly defence is now leaking goals like a wooden ferry in a torrential rainstorm; eight conceded in their last four games. Little wonder they are reportedly being linked with Australian Brent Griffiths. Semen Padang will be hoping Sacremnto's return will see them climb to the top half of the table.
Barito Putera v Madura United 2-2 (Paolo Sitanggang, Rizky Pora; Greg Nwokolo, Fabiano Beltrame) 5,942
Jacksen F Thiago's men after a slow start are turning into a very difficult team to beat with their 5-0 loss away to Bali United a recent aberration. Rizky's late goal earned them a point against high flying Madura, their second draw against title contenders in a week following their draw away to PSM last time out. The point may have been disappointing for Gomes de Oliviera but his team are just a point behind the leaders.
Persib v Persija 1-1 (Achmad Jufriyanto; Ramdani Lestalahu) 36,545
This was as firey as you would expect with Persija players needing an escort off the pitch after the game with security officials forming a shield to protect the players from incoming bottles and projectiles being thrown from the main stand. Persib have already paid out over Rp 300 million in fines, surely the incidents at this game will warrant the ultimate, if ineffective, sanction of games being played behind closed doors in future? Jufriyanto chose this of all games to net his first of the season after Persija struggled to deal with a corner but Randani levelled just minutes later.
Borneo v Perseru 2-0 (Lerby Eliandry, Terens Puhiri) 8,217
The club management reduced prices for unattractive opponents and were rewarded with a decent turn out as Borneo continued their unbeaten home run. Perseru are relegated aren't they? They are seven points from safety and have just one win from their last 13 games to show for their efforts. Still, they are five points clear of Persiba and Gresik United so things could be worse!
Persipura v PS TNI 2-1 (Addison Alves 2; Sansan Husaeni) 12,521
The wheels really have come off PS TNIs season in recent weeks with just two wins in their last eight games, and one of those came against hapless Gresik United. From challenging for the top spot they are now in the bottom half of the table eight points adrift. Persipura? They remain Persipura who ever the coach is. They have climbed to top spot after a run of six games unbeaten.
Persiba v Persela 2-2 (Diklay Glay, Bryan Cesar; Konusuke Uchida, Taufiq Kasrun) 2,735
Things still not going right for Persiba even on their own patch. In a carbon copy of their game against PSM they fell behind against Persela, equalised and even took the lead but were unable to hold on for the three points. Disappointing as well to see such a low crowd for this game.
Bali United v PSM 3-0 (Marcos Flores, Sylvano Cormvalius, Miftahul Hamdi) 14,666
Ex Valencia coach Gary Neville was at this game, perhaps to pick up some coaching tips from Widodo Cahyo Putro and Robert Alberts. PSM's away form is costing them big time, this is the first time they have not ended a round of fixtures top for several weeks but what about Bali. They have been doing their job quietly and away from the spotlight and they now sit fourth just a point behind leaders Persipura and Bhayangkara following a hot streak of four wins and a draw in their last five games. With 16 goals in those games they are also Liga 1 top scorers inspired by French striker Cormvalius who has scored nine goals in his last eight games.
1 - Persipura 16 9 3 4 28-19 30
2 - Bhayangkara 16 10 0 6 27-21 30
3 - Madura United 16 8 5 3 29-17 29
4 - Bali United 16 9 2 5 29-17 29
5 - PSM 16 8 4 4 24-18 28
13 - Peter Odemwingie (Madura United)
12 - Sylvano Comvalius (Bali United)
9 - Reinaldo Elias (PSM), Lerby Eliandri (Borneo)
8 - Alberto Goncalves (Sriwijaya), Marclei Santos (Mitra Kukar)
# posted by Me @ 9:29 AM 
