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Tuesday, May 24, 2016

 

Arema's New Aussie Loving Life In Malang

There is something special about Arema. Despite only being founded in 1987 they have become one of the biggest football clubs in the country and while their exploits on the pitch may not always earn top billing their fans, the Aremania, are always there to provide some of the most passionate support around. 

Sign for Arema and you sign up for a football culture unlike many other. St Pauli perhaps. Newcastle United. Clubs where the badge isn't just a measure of support, it is a mirror into your soul. Satu jiwa sing the Arema fans, One soul. Arema is more than a club, they become part of your soul. 

It is so appropriate that when one time Singapore wild child Noh Alam Shah moved to Indonesia it was to Arema. The Crazy Lions were a perfect match for Ah Long. Their attitudes suited each other to a tea.

The fans exploits are legion. The day 60,000 filled Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta to see the team win the Indonesia Super League for the first time in 2010. The riots and pitch invasion that halted a play off against Persiwa in nearby Kediri. And the movie, Conductors, where a humble water seller is compared to the conductor of a large orchestra. 

Malang is a small town nestled in the foothills a couple of hours south of Surabaya. Go somewhere and people will know about it. Do something and people will know about it. Persema may be the oldest club in Malang but everyone supports Arema.

Into this world has stepped Gustavo Giron Marulanda. Colombian born the striker started his career in his native land. 'I played for Once Caldas in Colombia for their U17s U20s then moved to Deportivo Pereira for a couple of seasons only playing for their reserves tea,' he told me.

Without really making much of an impact at home when someone asked him if he would like to play in Australia he jumped at the opportunity and signed for Bayswater SC in the Western Australia National Premier League. His performances made people sit up and take notice. 'Playing for Bayswater made me a name in Australia, despite being a second tier or just semi-pro football i got noticed by a few pro teams and also Budi who was the agent who contacted me and told me about Arema intentions, I was also contacted by Bali United at the time but I thought Arema would of (sic) been the right move because I liked the way they play and the fan base! I watched a few videos before I came here and really liked the style of soccer we play.'

Indonesia is never far from the news and the news is rarely positive but when Giron made the move it seems he wasn't aware of the PSSI suspension by the government and FIFA. 'Before coming to Indonesia i knew very little about their football, not even that they were banned by FIFA at that time.. I only found out while here, but it didn't change the perspective of things, because Arema always looked to be a serious and (promising) club, the league started (ISC) as such and this club is always striving for glory, now that we are back on FIFA things will only be better.'

Ok, the bags are packed and Giron is know in Indonesia. How has he found settling in? The game can be, what's the word, unrelenting at times. Brutal at others. His first ISC outing came against Persiba on the opening day of the season when the visitor's alleged rough house tactics saw Dendi Santoso and Cristian Gonzales injured early on. Giron started the game on the bench but came on at  the start of the second half to replace Gonzales.

'I played a friendly against Persija and though they were really honest and clean, the game went really "smooth" not many problems or hard tackles so that was my impression of football here, then 1st league game was a bit brutal, they came to clean everyone up and the referee really allowed that to happen..  Have the referee made better decisions at the right time I guess he would of prevent this situations to happen, but that's the game and it looks like that's the only way they thought they could beat us, in the end we are strong and good with the ball so that always gives you rewards!!!'

That was a home game. Next up was Madura United and nothing he had seen in Colombia and Australia could have prepared him for his first away game. 'When we were gonna play Madura, I got told by some of my team mates that fans were told not to come over due to the rivalry with the people from Surabaya and that two people had died recently due to fights between each other.'

'At that time I started to realise how serious the fans take the game, and then later in the afternoon looked out of my window to find out we were travelling in the Army's armoured personnel carrier so it was really impressive for me. I have never experienced something like it before and I can assure that no many people have. 

'Once we were on the road it was all about banter and laughs, we took it the good way, take pics with the army-man, and relaxed while traveling on the ferry, but can't deny that it was an impressive night. 

'Madura fans were also unreal, they sang for the whole game and really made it a special night. I thought Madura played a good game, they were really strong and didn't allow us to play our game. It's one of those games were you just gotta shake it off and carry on.. I was quite frustrated because didn't have much contact with the ball, but it was a really intense game where we had ... to chase them for long periods of the game!!'

After two tough games Giron finally broke his duck, scoring as Arema comfortably defeated Bhayangkara Surabaya United 3-0 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium to go top of the ISC. They lost t heir next game, 2-1 away to Mitra Kukar but remain handily placed sharing second spot and just a point off the pace.

With the football being a bit of an eye opener initially Giron is now settling down to life in malang and is enjoying his new surroundings. 'Arema and its people really know how to make you feel welcome and comfortable, they have rally looked after mean my family. I am really enjoying this beautiful experience here in Malang, its such a nice city with so much to explore, its full of coffee shops, restaurants, and a few good shopping malls. I keep calling myself lucky because I have come to a great place and club, i wouldn't have it any other way i am happy here Malang is really nice, the weather is perfect! And its people are so kind and sociable.'

From Bayswater to Malang, the last few months have been quite a footballing journey for the Colombian born striker. It seems clear he is settling down nicely to life in Malang with his family and his first goal and all round performance against BS United were an indicator of what he is capable of in his day job. 

Arema fans like their strikers. In recent years they have seen Keith Kayamba Gumbs, Alberto Goncalves, Noh Alam Shah and more latterly Gonzales himself. Time will tell whether Giron will carve out his own piece of Arema history.

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Saturday, May 21, 2016

 

Mitra Kukar End Arema's Run Of Clean Sheets

Madura United v Pusamania 2-1 (Engelberd Sani, Pablo Rodrigues; Pedro Javier) 3,720 

 Pusamania's new coach Dragan Djukanovic complained about the ref after seeing his side go down 2-1 against Madura United who bounced back after their thumping last week in Palembang.

Madura United: Hery Prasetyo; Asep Berlian, Fabiano Beltrame, Guntur Ariyadi, Munhar, Dane Milovanovic, Rosi Noprihanis (Engelberd 46'), Slamet Nurcahyo (Elthon 66'), Bayu Gatra, Rendy Siregar (Jeki 79'), Pablo Rodrigues Aracil.

Subs: Joko Ribowo; Gilang Ginarsa, Jeki Arisandi, Rishadi Fauzi, Fajar Handika, Elthon Maran, Engelberd Sani.

 Pusamania: Dian Agus Prasetyo; Diego Michiels (Gavin 64'), Jad Noureddin, Zulkifli Syukur (Jefri 14'), Firli Apriyansyah, Gerald Rudolf Pangkali, Edilson Tavares (Lerby 77'), Terens Puhiri, Ponaryo Astaman, Tarik Boschetti, Pedro Javier.

Subs: Nadeo Argawinata; Gavin Kwan Adsit, Hendra Ridwan, Jefri Kurniawan, Sandi Darma Sute, Lerby Eliandri, Sultan Samma.

Mitra Kukar v Arema 2-1 (Alan Leandro, Arthur Cunna; Hamka Hamzah) 7,231

 Unfancied Mitra Kukar top the ISC for at least 24 hours after inflicting Arema's first defeat of the season. Leandro's third of the season made him the competition's top scorer .

Mitra Kukar: Shahar Ginanjar, Michael Orah, Saepuloh Maulana, Arthur Cunna, Abdul Gamal, Bayu Pradana, Rodrigo Dos Santos, Septian David Maulana, Hendra Adi Bayauw, Marlon Da Silva, Alan Leandro

Arema: Kurnia Meiga, Ahmad Alfarizi, Hamka Hamzah, Goran Gancev, Beny Wahyudi, Hendro Siswanto, Ferry Aman Saragih, Raphael Maitimo, Srdjan Lopicic, Esteban Vizcarra, Gustavo Giron Marulanda

 PSM v Barito Putera 1-0 (Ardan Aras) 8,511 

 PSM sacked their coach, or he quit, midweek after supposedly a poor run of results. They had won one and lost two of their opening three games of the season. With Luciano Leandro gone it was Tony Ho who took the helm for this home game and hey presto they won.

The competition to replace Leandro seems to be hotting up but on the field the three points for PSM moves them to within two points of leaders Mitra Kukar...but hey. Let's sack the coach anyway.

PSM  Dimas Galih Pratama; Boman Irie Aime,  Erik Setiawan, Achmad Sumardi;  Ardan Aras, Maldini Pali,  Rizky Pellu,  Syamsul Chaeruddin;  Lamine Diarrassouba,  Ferdinand Sinaga,  Muchlis Hadi Ning Syaifulloh

Subs:  Davit Ariyanto,  Daniel Tata,  Wasyiat Hasbullah, Alex Da Silva De Souza,  Hasan Basri Lohy, Rasyid Assahid Bakri,  M. Rahmat

 Barito Putera Adhitya Harlan;  Fathul Rachman,  M. Aswar Syamsuddin,  Mohammadou Al Hadji Adamou,  Muhamad Roby;  Amirul Mukminin,  Hansamu Yama Pranata,  Ibrahim Conteh,  Lucky Wahyu,  Paulo Oktavianus Sitanggang;  Luis Junior

Subs:  Imam Arief Fadilah,  Adam Alis Setyano,  Agi Pratama,  Ichsan Pratama,  Yongky Aribowo

Bali United v Semen Padang 2-1 (Byung-Gun Ahn, M. Novianto; Vendry Mofu) 10,003

 Bali United  Rully Desrian;  Ahn Byung Keon,  Bobby Satria,  Kiko Insa,  Hasim Kipuw,  Ricky Fajrin;  Fadhil Sausu,  Hendra Sandi Gunawan,  Lucas Patinho;  I Nyoman Sukarja,  Yabes Roni Malaifani

Subs:  Ngurah Komang Arya Perdana,  Felisianus Junius R. Bate, I Nyoman Adi Parwa,  Loudry Meilana Setiawan,  Syakir Sulaiman,  I Made Adi Wirahadi,  Martinus Novianto Ardhi

Semen Padang Jandia Eka Putra;  Agung Prasetyo,  Handi Ramdhan,  Hengki Ardiles,  Satrio Syam; Vendry Mofu,  Paulo Diego Messias, Irsyad Maulana;  Marcel Silva Sacramento,  Muhammad Nur Iskandar,  Riko Simanjuntak

 Subs:  Rivky Mokodompit,  Fandry Imbiri,  Novan Setya Sasongko,  Novrianto,  Defri Rizki, Mekan Nasyrov,  Rudi

 Persiba v Persib 1-1 (Shohei Matsunaga; Vladimir Vujovic) 4,000 

Bima Sakti showed where is priorities lay. While some of his colleagues who trained in Italy 20 odd years back were going through their paces against a bunch of retired ex Serie A players in Jakarta Bima made his first appearance of the season for Persiba as he and coach Jaino Matos jiggled things about after a shot shy start to the season. Out went Okta Maniani and Rehel and in came Vincius for his first start of the season.

 After 306 minutes Persiba celebrated their first goal of the season, a penalty by Matsunaga. Vujovic nicked a late point for Persib, his second of the season to leave Persib fans to pour out their rage and scorn on social media. Six points from four games, two points behind leaders Mitra Kukar, things could be much worse.

And they may get worse before they get better for Belencoso. Just one goal since he arrived in Indonesia packing a big reputation he will be looking nervously at new signing Sergio van Dijk when they meet in training next week.

As for Persiba. Another game, another opponent sent to hospital. This time Robertino is checking out the medical services and falling foul of Persibas alleged hard tactics. He follows Aang Supraman, Cristian Gonales and Dendi Santoso who have received serious injuries after playing the Honey bears. The nickname may be cuddly but the play ain't! Still, let's keep fining clubs 'cos fans set off flares inside stadiums eh? Let's not worry too much about career threatening tackles.

Persiba  Alfonsius Kelvan;  Abdul Aziz Lutfi Akbar,  Abdul Rahman, Absor Fauzi,  Dirkir Kohn Glay,  Iqbal Samad;  Bima Sakti,  Kurniawan Karman,  Shohei Matsunaga;  Heri Susanto,  Vinicius Dos Santos Ries

Subs: Yoewanto Stya Beny,  Asep Budi Santoso,  Fengky Turnando,  Gidion Victor Way,  Oktovianus Maniani,  Siswanto, Ahmad Ihwan

Persib  I Made Wirawan;  Dias Angga Putra,  Purwoko Yudi,  Tony Sucipto,  Vladimir Vujovic; David Laly,  Hariono,  Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan,  Robertino Pugliara;  Juan Belencoso,  Tantan

Subs: M. Natshir Fadhil Mahbuby,  Hermawan,  Muhammad Agung Pribadi,  Atep,  Taufiq, Samsul Arif Munip,  Yandi Sopyan Munawar

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# posted by Me @ 10:52 PM 0 comments

Monday, May 16, 2016

 

Sriwijaya, Arema Show Their Class

Barito Putera v Gresik United 3-1 (Luis Junior, Agi Pratama 2; Eduardo Makiel) 6,700
Barito Putera20 Adhitya Harlan; 14 Fathul Rachman, 35 Mohammadou Al Hadji Adamou, 3 Muhamad Roby; 18 Adam Alis, 23 Dedy Hartono, 5 Ibrahim Conteh, 13 Lucky Wahyu, 17 Paulo Sitanggang, 26 Rizky Pora; 10 Luis Junior
Subs: 30 Imam Arief Fadillah, 27 M. Aswar Syamsuddin, 16 Muhammad Khusen, 8 Amirul Mukminin, 21 Agi Pratama, 11 Ichsan Pratama, 7 Yongki Aribowo
Gresik United 28 Irpan; 29 Ambrizal, 4 FX Yanuar, 5 Muhammad Rifqi; 19 Eduardo Maciel, 77 Hendri Satriadi, 10 Oh Inkyun, 42 Riyandi Ramadhana Putra, 81 Supriyono, 26 Muhamad Kamri, 9 Yusuf Effendi
Subs: 86 Muhamad Sandi Firmansyah, 15 Danil Junaidi, 27 Ghozali Muharam Siregar, 24 Stevanus Bungaran, 23 Arsyad Yusgiantoro, 50 Reza Mustofa, 87 Suheri Daud

 Sriwijaya v Madura United 5-0 (Hilton Moreira, Ichsan Kurniawan, Yohanis Nabar 2, Alberto Goncalves) 14,555

 Oh yes. A game to watch away the bad taste left by the Battle of Segiri and to celebrate FIFA lifting its suspension of the PSSI. This was Sriwijaya's first home game of the season and while hey had picked up hard fought but well deserved points on the road at tough opponents Persib and Persiba this was their first chance to show what they could do in front of their adoring public. And boy did they.

 I have talked much about Sriwijaya's wealth of experience in their ranks but today we saw Ichsan Kurniawan show what he could do with a sterling shift. 20 years old he impressed alongside his elders and peers and thoroughly deserved his goal, hooking home from an acute angle. 

 When you can replace Firman Utina with Eka Ramdani you know you are talking about a decent squad and Ramdani started by spraying passes around the field like he used to do in his pomp. Hilton belied his years while Ichsan had energy to burn down the flank while Beto was his usual self, channeled aggression for the cause. 

 And at the back Teja Paku Alam was as good as he has been all season. Good keepers command their area and he did that alright. Now with histrionics but with a cam assurance that belies his youth.

 Madura United didn't come to fill in the blanks on the team sheet. They had a go but they were far from the team that had outfought Arema last weekend. And for good reason. Madura United should have a good campaign, they aren't a bad side, but their biggest asset is their Bangkalan Stadium. No one will enjoy playing there. 

 The aggression and physical element of their game that had caused so many problems for Arema were absent here. Yes, Slamet Nurchayo and Fabiano Beltrame put in good shifts as you would expect from players with their experience but Sriwijaya were just quicker to everything. The final score may have flattered but make no mistake...this is one very good side.
Sriwijaya
12 Teja Paku Alam; 2 Supardi Nasir, 11 Zalnando, 26 Fachruddin Wahyudi, 28 A.A Ngurah Wahyu Trisnajaya; 6 Yu Hyun Koo, 24 Ichsan Kurniawan, 8 Eka Ramdani; 23 M. Ridwan, 10 Hilton Moreira, 9 Alberto Goncalves
Subs: 21 Yogi Triyana, 13 Achmad Jufriyanto, 22 Wildansyah, 37 Rizky Dwi Ramadana, 29 T.A Mushafry, 15 Firman Utina, 91 Yohanis Nabar
Madura United 
77 Hery Prasetyo; 18 Achmad Maulana Putra; 4 Asep Berlian, 15 Fabiano Beltrame, 23 Gilang Ginarsa, 5 Munhar, 14 Rendy Siregar; 10 Slamet Nur Cahyo; 8 Bayu Gatra, 7 Engelberd Sani, 9 Pablo Aracil
Subs: 33 Joko Ribowo, 2 Guntur Ariyadi, 30 Jecky Arisandi, 25 Rishadi Fauzi, 55 Espinosa Mossi, 11 Rosy Noprihanis, 17 Elton Maran
Arema v Bhayangkara Surabaya United 3-0 (Srdan Lopicic, Sunarto, Gustavo Marulanda) 29,650
And to think BS United had started the season so well. A win at Barito Putera perhaps flattered to deceive and we saw the real team last week when they were held by PS TNI but they were certainly put to the sword by Arema at Kanjuruhan Stadium. 
The Crazy Lions went for the jugular from the first minute and t really was a case of when not if they would open the scoring. Their interchange and movement was irrepressible as they tore the visitors to shreds and the only surprise why it took so long to take the lead when Srdan finished with aplomb from close range on 11 minutes.
Sunarto made it 2-0 early in the second half after a game of head tennis when the visitors failed to clear and he drove home from 20 yards. Marulanda broke his duck with a header from a corner just after the hour mark to make the points and the result comfortable for the home side who now sit top of the ISC level on points with Persija.
Talking about strength in depth. Arema had Arif Suyono and Juan Revi on the bench! 
Arema 
1 Kurnia Meiga; 7 Beny Wahyudi, 23 Hamka Hamzah, 87 Johan Ahmad Farizi, 16 Goran Ganchev; 11 Esteban Vizcarra, 94 Ferry Aman Saragih, 8 Raphael Maitimo, 22 Srdan Lopicic; 88 Antoni Putro Nugroho, 9 Gustavo Giron Marulanda
Subs: 21 I Made Wardhana, 31 Junda Irawan, 6 Ryuji Utomo, 14 Arif Suyono, 17 Dio Permana, 77 Juan Revi, 15 Sunarto
Bhayangkara Surabaya United1 Wahyu Tri Nugroho; 36 Ahmad Hari Satria Perdana, 21 M. Fatchu Rochman, 5 Otavio Dutra, 4 Suroso; 86 Khairallah Abdelkbir, 81 Muhamad Hargianto, 18 Paulo Helber; 20 Ilham Udin Armaiyn, 10 Rudi Widodo, 99 Thiago Furtuoso Dos Santos
Subs: 30 Thomas Rian Bayu, 53 Herwin Tri Saputra, 27 Indra Kahfi, 34 Muhamad Sahrul Kurniawan, 22 Fandi Eko Utomo, 13 Bijahil Chalwa, 12 Wahyu Subo Seto
Standings
1 - Arema 3 2 1 0 5-0 7
2 - Persija 3 2 1 0 4-2 7
3 - S Padang 3 2 0 1 4-2 6
Tomorrow sees Perseru host PSM in the final game from Match Day 3. Tomorrow morning look out the Jakarta Football Chat as we wrap up the weekend including all the action on the field, Persib off the field, FIFA and tragedy for a young fan.

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# posted by Me @ 3:25 AM 0 comments

Saturday, May 07, 2016

 

Meiga Saves Harried Arema In Bangkalan Cauldron

Persiba v Sriwijaya 0-0 5,274

 You know that pressing game that is all the rage in England? None of that here as both sides were content to sit deep and let sides come on to them. Persiba started the game with an all Indonesian strike force with Okta Maniani and Rahel Radiansyah starting up front and while they were quick and mobile as you would expect they were well marshalled by the visitors' defence.

 Okta has a reputation as a bit of a one trick pony, using his pace to cover up other alleged failings and this performance in this game did little to counter that argument. Instead it was Japanese midfielder Shohei Matsunaga who shone but his good work and good passes were to no avail in teh absence of a striker who had the physical presence to win the ball and hold on to it.

 While Persiba dominated the ball Sriwijaya keeper Teja Paku Alam did well in goal while in front his defenders moved quickly to cut out any nascent danger. It wasn't until the 80th minute when Persiba coach Jaino Matos replaced Okta with Vinicius that the home side were able to add a bit of guile to their pace but by then the game was all but over. Sriwijaya had long since had the measure of Persiba and deserved their point.

 Two tough away games for Sriwijaya and two points is not a bad start to the season for coach Widodo Cahyo Putro and his players have until Sunday to recharge their batteries when they will face another test of their credentials. They host Madura United.
Persiba: Alfonsius Kelvan; Abdul Rachman, Ledi Utomo, Dirkir Glay, Iqbal Samad, Kurniawan Karman (Syamsir 61'), Ledi Utomo, Shohei Matsunaga, Rahel Radiansyah (Heri 82'), Okto Maniani (Vinicius 80'), Abdul Aziz.
Subs: Yoewanto Beny; Absor Fauzi, Fengky Turnando, Siswanto, Heri Susanto, Syamsir Alam, Vinicius Reis.
Sriwijaya FC: Teja Paku Alam; Ngurah, Achmad Jufriyanto (Ichsan 90+1), Fachrudin Aryanto, Supardi, Wildansyah, Firman Utama ( Yohanis 71'), M Ridwan (Mushafry 10'), Yu Hyun Koo, Hilton Moreira, Beto Goncalves.
Subs: Yogi Triana; Eka Ramdani, Ichsan Kurniawan, Zalnando, Airlangga Sucipto, TA Mushafry, Yohanis Nabar.

 Madura United v Arema 0-0 12,500

 This was brutal! Like them games in the school playground it was harem scarem for the whole 90 minutes and if there was a surprise there was just one red card, for Arema's Hendro Siswanto in the second half.

 Going into the game the news from Arema was all about those who would be absent. Cristian Gonzales, Dendi Santoso who were injured against Persiba last weekend and of course Aremania who were asked not to travel for fear of disturbances as they passed through Surabaya. 

 It may have been reckless and breathless but there were some gems. For Madura United Slamet Nurchayo and Bayu Batra impressed, the latter's surging runs causing problems for a back pedalling Arema defence. And at the heart of the Madura body was the experienced Fabiano Beltrame putting in the kind of shift that has made him one of the most sought after foreign players in the country.

 With the single terrace packed with a large baying crowd and fans spilling on to the running track the atmosphere was as wild and passionate as you can get; just as well there were no away fans!

 Arema weren't their to provide cannon fodder and a 35 yard free kick from skipper Hamka Hamzah stung the finger tips of Heri Prasetya in the Madura goal. But up front Aussie striker Gustavo Giron struggled to make an impact as the Madura defence did their job solidly and physically. That Arema could leave with a point was down to the heroics of Meiga Kurnia in goal for them who turned in a man of the match performance, single handedly keeping the home team at bay.

 Given the playground feel of the game it was appropriate the game should have been held up twice; first because an Arema free kick tore the net open and second when Srdan Lopicic's shirt was tirn and needed replacing. 

 Not one for the Wenger style purist but loads of fun if a tad too physical! While I enjoyed it Arema coach Milomir Seslija was less impressed. After the  game he said the ref had 'protected' the Madura players while letting the Arema players 'die' on the field. Milomir also touched upon the build up to the game, trying to stay anonymous in a Surabaya hotel and travelling to Madura in an armoured personnel carrier and the fear factor for his team. 

 Two games into the season and Arema have faced two strong, physical opponents. They have come out of it with four points and share top spot at least temporarily with Madura United but at some cost with Gonzales and Dendi facing lengthy absences. At least they get a good break between games. Next Sunday they host BS United...
Madura United: Heri Prasetya; Ahmad Maulana, Asep Berlian, Fabiano Beltrame, Gilang Ginarsa, Munhar, Slamet Nurcahyo (Toni 84'), Bayu Gatra, Engelberd Sani (Jeong 80'), Rendy Siregar, Pablo Rodriguez.
Subs: Joko Ribowo; Guntur Ariyadi, Jeki Arisandi, Jeong Kwang Sik, Rishadi Fauzi, Toni Mossi, Elthon Maran.
Arema: Kurnia Meiga; Hamka Hamzah, Goran Ganchev, Ryuji Utomo, Ahmad Farizi; Raphael Maitimo, Hendro Siswanto, Ferry Arman Saragih (Antoni 56'), Srdan Lopicic, Esteban Vizcarra; Gustavo Giron (Sunarto 70').  
Subs: I Made Wardhana; Beny Wahyudi, Junda Irawan, Arif Suyono, Juan Revi, Antoni Putro, Sunarto.

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# posted by Me @ 10:54 AM 0 comments

Thursday, May 05, 2016

 

Arema Fans Asked Not To Travel To Madura

Bangkalan Stadium to be an Aremania free zone this weekend
Arema fans have been asked not to travel to their side's ISC game away to Madura United this weekend. The clash between the East Java sides could expect a large crowd considering their proximity and Arema's away following but that same geography as seen East Java police advise visiting fans to stay home.

Madura is an island off the north coast of Java and is connected to the larger island by a bridge. Now while this makes things easier for people to visit the island it causes a problem for police when it comes to fans travelling to Bangkalan for games.

Java side, the bridge starts in Surabaya and that is a concern for the police. Tensions between fans of Arema and Persebaya are high at the best of times and while there may be no Persebaya as such these days their supporters, known as Bonek, haven't lost their loathing for Arema fans.

Indeed during the General Sudirman Cup Arema and Surabaya United fans clashed in the road to Sleman leaving two Arema fans dead.

Arema fans driving Malang plated vehicles would have been a magnet for Bonek up for a row this weekend while elements of the travelling support may have ideas of revenge from their road trip. While Arema fans have accepted the ban they do not discount the idea some fans may make it to the game, albeit not wearing colours.

'Madura has many Arema fans,' said a supporters club official. 'we don't just go everywhere, we are everywhere,' before adding they respected the decision from the local police force

It's sad that fans should be prevented from travelling but under the circumstances totally understandable. Rivalries are a good thing in football but for once, as far as Bill Shankly's words are concerned, football is not more important than life or death.

UPDATE 6 May - Indonesian media have been reporting Persebaya fans, known as Bonek, were out in large numbers on the approach roads to the bridge looking for Malang registered vehicles. One such vehicle was attacked and damaged even though the driver was from Madura! A bus ferrying outside broadcast equipment to Bangkalan to cover the game was also attacked by fans.

Arema stayed in a hotel in Surabaya last night due to a shortage of hotels in Bangkalan but they refused to disclose the location to the media for fear of Persebaya fans tracking them down. This rivalry is real!


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# posted by Me @ 10:32 AM 0 comments

Monday, May 02, 2016

 

PS TNI Lose First Game But Support Offers Hope For The Future

Bali United v Pusamania Borneo 1-1 (Nemanja Vidakovic; OG) 7,230

 Two clubs borne from one club, Persisam Putra, put on a decent show that was not without controversy in Bali yesterday. It was the home team that took the lead, Vidakovic's spectacular effort from outside the box leaving Dian Agus grasping for thin air. Defender Kiko Insa later put through his own goal attempting to clear a corner.

 It's fair to say Pusamania deserved the draw but it could have been three points had Tarik Boschetti not missed an open goal from a few yards out, his header going wide.

 The experienced Gerald Pangkali was red carded for a reckless challenge on the edge of the penalty area. A guy who has been round the block a bit, he should have known better than to go for such a tackle in such a dangerous area; some refs would have given a penalty as well. Moments later and it was Zulkifli doing something similar but this time he just received a yellow.

 Things got a bit hot towards the end of the second half with Bali United pressing for the winner. Another silly challenge, this time by Sandi in the middle of the field saw the ref brandish yellow again prompting angry scenes in the Pusamania dugout with coach Dragan Djukanovic giving thematch officials a piece of his mind. 

 Bali fans in the main stand responded by throwing plastic water bottles at the dug out and one Pusamania 'official' was seen throwing one back in the crowd. It was all handbags really but at the end of the day while Pusamania will be glad to have left with a point after playing much of the game with 10 men it will be a concern to see some poor decision making at the back that could have cost them the game.
Bali United 1 Rully Desrian; 13 Bobby Satria, 14 Fadil Sausu, 87 Kiko Insa, 44 I Gede Sukadana, 8 Ricky Fajrin; 59 Hasim Kipuw, 69 Lucas Patinho; 17 I Nyoman Sukarja, 99 Nemanja Vidakovic, 11 Yabes Roni Malaifani
Subs: 20 Ngurah Komang Arya Perdana, 27 Agus Nova Wiantara, 6 Felsianus Junius R. Bate, 19 Hendra Sandi Gunawan, 10 Loudry Meilana Setiawan, 92 Syakir Sulaiman, 18 I Made Wirahadi
Pusamania Borneo 33 Dian Agus Prasetyo; 4 Jad Noureddin, 32 Leonard Tupamahu, 28 Terens Owang Puhiri, 3 Zulkifli Syukur; 27 Gerald Pangkali, 77 Jefri Kurniawan, 11 Ponaryo Astaman, 21 Sandi Darma Sute, 6 Tarik Boschetti; 9 Pedro Javier Velazquez Insfran
Subs: 97 Nadeo Arga Winata, 16 Aang Suparman, 24 Diego Robbie Michiels, 10 Edilson Tavares, 92 Fandhy Achmad, 12 Lerby Eliandry Pong Baru, 22 Sultan Samma
Arema v Persiba 2-0 (Hamka Hamzah, Cristian Gonzales) 17,464
Arema fans with long memories can recall back in their Indonesia Super League title winning season Persiba coming to their Kanjuruhan Stadium and picking up a 2-1 win. It was their only home loss of the season but proof that Persiba do have this uncanny knack of upsetting the big boys when the mood takes them.
For Arema, they had seen the likes of Persib, Sriwijaya and Persipura only draw in their opening games and this was a chance for them to throw down an early season marker and this they duly managed when Hamka bundled home the ball from close range after just 12 minutes. The ageless Gonzales made it 2-0 11 minutes before half time and while Persiba did put the Arema goal under some pressure the home team held out for a crucial, confidence building win.
Some bad news though for Arema was coach Milomir Seslija having to  make all his substitutions so early. Aussie import Gustavo Giron came on for Gonzales in the second half leaving the coach and his team on the bench to sweat the second 45 minutes, hoping no more injuries came their way.
Arema 
1 Kurnia Meiga; 23 Hamka Hamzah, 87 Johan Ahmat Farizi, 4 Syaiful Indra Cahya, 16 Goran Ganchev; 11 Esteban Vizcarra, 12 Hendro Siswanto, 8 Raphael Maitimo, 22 Srdan Lopicic; 10 Cristian Gonzales, 41 Dendi Santoso
Subs: 21 I Made Wardhana, 7 Beny Wahyudi, 6 Ryuji Utomo, 94 Ferry Aman Saragih, 77 Juan Revi Auriqto, 9 Gustavo Giron Marulanda, 15 Sunarto
Persiba 
23 Yoewanto Stya Beny; 88 Abdul Aziz Lutfi Akbar, 17 Abdul Rahman, 26 Dirkir Kohn Glay, 19 Iqbal Samad, 24 Ledi Utomo; 5 Antonio Teles, 13 Kurniawan Karman, 89 Oktovianus Maniani, 77 Rahel Radiansyah, 18 Shohei Matsunaga
Subs: 96 Kurniawan Kartika Ajie, 32 Absor Fauzi, 15 Asep Budi Santoso, 11 Frengky Turnando, 22 Siswanto, 94 Heri Susanto, 8 Syamsir Alam
PS TNI v Madura United 1-2 (Tambun Dibty Naibaho; Pablo Rodrigues, Slamet Nurcahyono) 10,152
PS TNI, making their debut in the top flight after their merger with Persiram, managed to answer one question. More than 10,000 fans turned out for this game at Siliwangi Stadium including a smattering of away supporters. Another question though still lingers. With the club policy to build a team around military personnel and spurn foreign players how will they cope at this level?
In Legimin Raharjo they have experience by the bucket load and in Manahati Lestusen they have youthful promise and endeavour. But is there enough in the rest of the squad to mount a successful campaign? The evidence from one game suggests no but at the same time they won't be walkovers for anyone.
Madura United are another new team, taking over from Pelita Bandung Raya, and they are working hard to build a professional football club in an area that is often overlooked by the rest of the country. They have recruited wisely and in Fabiano Beltrame they have one of the best foreign players around; surely a message of intent from the football club.

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# posted by Me @ 10:57 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

 

Jakarta Globe Column



While Muang Thong United and Chonburi may have eased past AFC Champions League play off opponents on home turf, when it comes to jumping on an airplane they seem to leave their scoring boots behind.

Chonburi were turned over 4-0 by Beijing Guoan in China while Muang Thong United were unable to hold on to a 22nd minute lead given to them by Mario Durovski and went down 2-1 to Melbourne Victory and suffered the ignominy of having Datsakorn Thonglao red carded in injury time.
They will have no time to reflect on their disappointment as the Thai Premier League kicks off this weekend. Champions Buriram United host Songkla United, Muang Thong entertain Chainat while Chonburi take on Police.

The eruption from Mount Kelud in East Java has had repercussions on the Indonesia Super League. Following their 1-0 win over Persita Tangerang, unbeaten western conference leaders Arema were stranded at the airport as all flights to their home base of Malang were cancelled due to layers of volcanic ash on the runway.

They eventually made it home after flying to Bali and going overland from there!

Champions Persipura Jayapura continued their strange start to the season with a 2-2 draw away to Putra Samarinda in East Kalimantan. Gerald Pangkali gave the visitors the lead on 16 minutes but prolific striker Ilija Spasojevic leveled just before half time from the penalty spot.

Sultan Samma gave the home team the lead eight minutes into the second half before the long serving Cameroonian defender, Paulin Pierre Bio saved a point for the Black Pearls with 10 minutes remaining. 

The draw was enough to keep them top of the table despite winning just one of their opening four games.

Their spell in the top spot of the eastern conference lasted just 24 hours as Mitra Kukar defeated Perseru Seru 1-0 with a goal from Eric Weeks Lewis to move a point clear.

The last couple of seasons have seen Semen Padang pretty much all one their own in the weakened Premier League. There was little in the way of competition and they even found time for a run to the quarter finals of the AFC Cup suggesting the team could do a job in a stronger league.

Now they are playing in the ISL and thus far their season hadn’t been much to write home about, defeating Barito Putera 2-0 and losing to Persija Jakarta by the same score in Jakarta.

With Persib Bandung enjoying their traditional good start to the season not many people would have predicted an away win.

The Jalak Harupat Stadium can be an intimidating venue at the best of times but it seems the men from West Sumatra were unperturbed and went into an early lead through Esteban. An own goal from Supardi doubled the lead and despite a last minute goal from Djibril Coulibily, they held on for a momentous victory.

In Monday’s game there was an emotional return to first team action for Bambang Pamungaks. Only tis time he wasn’t lining up for Persija but against them. Bepe took the field for his new team, Pelita Bandung Raya and scored twice in the 2-2 draw to keep PBR’s fine start to the season on track.

Unfortunately there were reports of isolated violence in and around the stadium as a small band of travelling Persija fans were attacked with rocks. Later this week, Persija return to the same stadium to take on Persib and it is certain there won’t be any away fans then.

In Malaysia, big spenders Johor Darul Takzim crushed Selangor 4-1. Forget the former World Cup star Pablo Aimar, this game was all about a couple of internationals from a more humble background.

Goals from Baihakki Khaizan and Hariss Harun, Singapore internationals both, gave JDT a 2-0 lead in the first half hour and the big spenders from the southern tip of the Asian mainland went on to defeat Selangor 4-1.

The result keeps JDT comfortably mid table but Baihakki was uncomfortably aware the defence needed more time to gel.
We realize that we still haven’t got that grip within one another. Also knowing that the expectation level is really high, demanding top quality performance every game. I think that’s where it frazed us a little’.

 The former Geylang United, Persija, Persib and LionsXII defender said the seeds of the win had been planted in the last game.

 ‘It started with the 3-1 home win against Kedah in the FA cup and it went on again against Selangor. That is what we have been searching for, something that could rise the confidence level of the whole team and everybody realize it’s all about togetherness and working hard each and every game.’

 Selangor coach Mehmet Durakovic will rue the opportunity spurned to go top but will also recognize the team remain just one point off the lead. 

 Perhaps of greater concern to the former Australian international will the lack of goals contributed by the team. So far, Paolo Rangel has hit six of Selangor’s seven league goals this campaign.

 Terengganu moved top of the heap with 10 points after defeating Pahang 2-0 with a brace from Mario Karlovic while Kelantan and Sarawak joined Selangor on nine points behind the leaders.

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# posted by Me @ 8:29 AM 0 comments

Monday, January 27, 2014

 

IIC Final Called Off

See what happens when you don't post for a few days?

Arema were of course due to play Persib in the Inter Island Cup Cup Final on Saturday in Sidoarjo. Then came a few mumblings about how the PSSI wanted to move the game to Kanjuruhab Stadium, home of said Arema, because apparently they had those revolving A boards.

Then at pretty much the last minute the game was called off because the Sidoarjo police would not permit the game to go ahead, siting security concerns. Sidoarjo is next to Surabaya and the Persebaya fans don't get on with Arema fans.

So there we have it. The final cancelled and sod the expense and inconvenience of anyone who wanted to catch the game.

The Indonesia Super League begins on Saturday and so far, no one has a scooby when the final will be played.

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# posted by Me @ 7:44 AM 0 comments

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

 

Arema Reach IIC Final

Arema reached their third pre season final as they overcame Sriwijaya in the final Big 8 game while Perseru restored some pride by holding Barito Putra to a 0-0.

Playing in front of their home fans for the millionth time, Arema knew what they needed after Barito Putra's surprise draw with Perseru.

Cristian Gonzales scored the only goal of the game to set up a final with, umm, someone.

On the morning of the games in Malang it had looked like Barito Putera had the slight advantage but I guess a final with Kalimantan teams played in East Java won't pull in the fans.

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# posted by Me @ 7:14 AM 0 comments
 

Advantage Kalimantan In Inter Island Cup

Reality hit for two of the Super League’s new boys in the Inter Island Cup as they fell to heavy defeats in the first Big 8 games.

Perseru had surprised everyone when they defeated Persipuura at the Mandala Stadium in the group stage but they have found life outside their native Papua a tad harder.

On Sunday, they came up against Sriwijaya who had surprisingly been thumped by Barito Putra in their first Big 8 at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang.

This time it was the turn of the Laskar Wong Kito to go goal crazy, whacking eight past the hapless Persru without repliy.

Former Chonburi, Delttras and Persisam striker led the way with five. Anis added a couple while Diogo hit an injury time goal to round off the rout.

The Papuans had lost their first group game 1-0 against Arema so despite a final game against Barito Putra, their interest in the competition is over.

Hosts Arema were held 2-2 by Barito Putta despite scoring twice in a minute. Cristian Gonzales had given them the lead on 23 mins with Irsyad following suit a minute later.

Bangura pulled one back on the half hour mark and Syahroni saved the game for the team from South Kalimantan with 12 mins on the clock.

Barito Putra lead the group on goal difference thanks to their 4-1 defeat of Sriwijaya with Arema in second place. Two time winners Sriwijaya are third on three points.

With the final games to be played today, Barito Putra will be hoping to keep on their goal spree against Perseru knowing victory could put them in the final in Sidoarjo on Saturday.

In the other game, Arema meet Sriwijaya. The team from Palembang know they must win this difficult game and hope Perseru get an unlikely result against Barito Putra if they are to reach the final.

The other group kicked off on Sunday with Persib, being followed by around 1,500 supporters, being held by Persiram 0-0. In the other game, newly promoted Persik, who sprung a surprise of their own by defeating Persebaya in the group stage to reach the Big 8, found life a tad tougher against Mitra Kukar.

Persik had the gall to take the lead against the East Kalimantan team through Dicky on six mins but Mitra Kukar responded with Raphael Maitimo scoring on 10 mins. Zulham scored on 17 mins, Anindito added a third on 36 mins and Zulham added his second a minute later to make it 4-1 at half time.

The goals continued flowing in the second half with Maitimo and Zulham completing hattricks and Rendi pulling one back for Persik.

If you have lost count, Mitra Kukar won 7-2 and if I check my maths, that puts them top of the group that is being held in Solo.

Things were much tighter in the second round of games played yesterday. Persik put on a much better performance against Persiram, coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw. Osas Saha Marvelous scored for the Papuan team on 81 mins but substitute Dimas Gaih Gumilang equalised with two minutes on the clock.


Tomorrow will be the final games with everything to be decided. Mitra Kukar obviously lead the group and must go into their final game Persiram as slight favorites while Persib take on Persik hoping to end a run of draws and rediscover their goalscoring touch that had demolished 10 men Persita in the group stage.

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# posted by Me @ 6:56 AM 0 comments

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