Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Ilham Udin Strikes Late To Take Bhayangkara Top
Persela v Perseru 1-0 (Samsul Arif) 3,960
It comes to something when Persela are recording such a low attendance but perhaps there can be some sympathy for the long suffering support who had just witnessed five straight losses. And, no disrespect, Perseru aren't the most attractive of opponents! Samsul's seventh of the season just shy of the hour mark was enough to secure the points and send the small crowd home happy against the Papuans who remained in the bottom three and winless on their travels.
Mitra Kukar v Persija 1-2 (Marclei Santos; Bruno Lopes, Ramdani Lestalahu) 1,341
Persija suffered the ignominy of losing their new striker, Reinaldo (three goals in four games) before going down to a penalty just before half time but they still managed a spirited fightback in the second half with Lopes levelling just after half time with his eighth of the season and Ramdani making it five games unbeaten for the Macan Kemayoran.
Persib v Semen Padang 2-2 (Raphael Maitimo, Ezechiel N'Douassel; Vendry Mofu 2) 21,617
Semen Padang led twice at Si Jalak Harupat as they looked to end a four game winless streak but each time they were pegged back by a determined Persib side. Maitimo continued his hit streak in front of goal in injury time of the first half with his sixth goal in six games and though Mofu scored his second of the game and eighth of the season on 56 minutes it was left to Chadian import N'Douassel to save the home side's blushes with two minutes on the clock as he scored his third goal since arriving at the club in the transfer window.
Persiba v Gresik United 3-0 (Anmar Al Mubaraki, Srdan Lopcic, Hendri Satriadi) 10,021
Another defeat for hapless Gresik United, their seventh on the spin and their fifth without getting on the scoresheet, but this was all about Persiba. Playing at their brand spanking new Batakan Stadium, it was party time for the Honey Bears in front of their second largest crowd of the season. Stadium buffs, this is the third stadium Persiba have used as a home ground this season.
Bhayangkara v Persipura 2-1 (Ilham Udin 2; Ian Lousi Kabes) 3,250
How many times have I written about Ilham Udin this season? Good strikers score match changing goals and Ilham is certainly doing that. Having given his side the lead with 13 minutes remaining Persipura clawed their way back into the game with Kabes equalising with just two minutes left. With the game heading for a draw and many of us groaning, here we go again Persipura(!), up pops Ilham again three minutes into injury time to earn full points for Bhayangkara and see them end Week 23 top of the table.
PSM v PS TNI 4-1 (Pavel Puryshkin, Ferdinand Sinaga 2, Hamka Hamzah; Wawan Febrianto) 14,875
PSM have not been the formidable force they were earlier in the season but this convincing win keeps them in touch with the leaders as well as improving their goal difference. One time Indonesian international Ferdinand hit a brace, making it four in the last three, as well as laying on one for new signing Puryshkin. As for PS TNI. They are a pale shadow of the team that started the season so well with just one point from their last six games. The corps d'esprit that was so evident in the early days of the campaign has gone AWOL!
Barito Putera v Sriwijaya 2-0 (Hansamu Yama Pranata, Douglas Packer) 3,432
No surprises in this mid table clash. Yep, seeing Sriwijaya floundering in mid table nothingness has ceased to surprise
Madura United v Arema 2-0 (Slamet Nurchayo 2) 8,327
While the likes of Peter Odemwingie and Greg Nwokolo have attracted the headline writers in Madura's thrilling season to date Slamet Nurcahyo has been happy to play second fiddle if you like. No one at the club though underestimates this silky midfielder whose vision and technique allows the better known players to shine. His brace ended a four game winless streak for the one time title challengers and allowed him his moment in the spotlight his performances all season have warranted.
Borneo v Bali United 0-0 7,695
Freescoring Bali United were held by a tenacious Borneo in Samarinda. Since losing at home to Sriwijaya a month ago Borneo have gone five games unbeaten, conceding two goals in that time; Jose Mourinho would be proud!
1 - Bhayangkara 23 15 1 7 40-26 46
2 - Bali United 23 14 3 6 52-26 45
3 - PSM 23 12 6 5 37-25 42
4 - Persipura 23 12 6 5 42-25 42
25 - Sylvano Comvalius (Bali United)
15 - Marclei Santos (Mitra Kukar)
13 - Peter Odemwingie (Madura United)
12 - Reinaldo Costa (PSM 9, Persija 3), Alberto Goncalves (Sriwijaya)
# posted by Me @ 11:30 AM 
