Jakarta Casual

Gresik United v PS TNI 0-0 12,300

Unfortunately this game was marred by a pitch invasion that held up proceedings for almost 20 minutes and left 50 fans needing treatment as marauding PS TNI fans went on the rampage.

The game itself wasn't too bad. In the first half especially South Korean Oh In Kyun was the wayang master for Gresik United but all too often the final delivery was woeful. 

As for PS TNI they remain winless after four games and have just two points to show for their efforts. Their attempt to build a team around young Indonesian players is laudable but unless they do something to reign in their support they will soon become associated with something other than football. 

Labels: Bhayangkara Surabaya United, Gresik United, Perseru, Persija, PS TNI, Sriwijaya

Keith Kayamba Gumbs is back in Indonesia, he is back with Sriwijaya and he is excited about the coming campaign. With Laskar Wong Kito having started the Indonesian Soccer Championship season unbeaten I asked Keith about his return and his thoughts about Sriwijaya.

Keith Kayamba scoring for Sriwijaya against Pelita Jaya

Now aged 43, the former St Kitts and Nevis international enjoyed a lengthy career including stints with Oldham, Hull City and Sturm Graz before arriving in Hong Kong in 2001 where he played for Happy Valley. He spent some time in Malaysia playing for Sabah before returning to Hong Kong were he played for Kitchee at a time when Persib's Dejan Antonic was coaching them.

In 2007 he joined Sriwijaya and the rest, as they say, is history. He was part of the team that dominated Indonesian football for a couple years winning Liga Indonesia, Indonesia Cup (three times), Community Shield, Inter Island Cup and the Indonesia Super League. Seven trophies provided a glittering twilight to his career and after a cameo season with Arema he hung up his boots in 2013 and headed to Australia.

Ever since his name has often been linked with a return to Palembang.Finally he is back and he is loving it. 'Good to be back in the atmosphere and for a bit of experience coaching and not having to play.'

As for the rumours? 'The links to come back to Sriwijaya FC were mostly rumour because since I left the club after the 2012 season I hadn't talk to the management about coming back. I was in touch with the club and keeping up to date with football in Indonesia but weren't very keen to come back. One of my reasons for coming back now is, because I am now venturing into the coaching circles and looking for some much needed experience. So when this opportunity came along I thought about it for a while and decided it would be a good start for me. '

Pre season Sriwijaya's recruitment policy seemed to revolve around players in their 30s and if they had played for Persib all the better but Kayamba, as befitting an old hand who played into his 40s, doesn't see age as a handicap. 'They say where I came from age is just a number. Remember I played here in 2013 and I was 41 years old. The thing is with good soccer conditioning training, good dieting, staying away from alcohol, cigarettes and maximising your rest time. This can prolong the life of a footballer's career for well over 30. '

Sriwijaya have started the season well. Vital points were picked up on the road at Persib and Persiba, tough places to play at the best of times, while Madura United were put to the sword last weekend, Sriwijaya hitting five without reply. And while the old hands like Beto Goncalves, Hilton Moreira and Firman Utina draw the plaudits it is two younger players who have caught the eye of more seasoned observers. 

Teja Paku Alam has been in fine form between the sticks this season, conceding just one goal but playing with a maturity and confidence beyond his years. Former international Hendro Kartiko is the goalkeeping coach and no doubt he would have been aware another one time international, Markus Horison, was available but the management team opted for youth. 'At first there was to some extent a desire to bring in an experienced goalkeeper. But I think with the competition being as it is, now similar to the tournaments held before but this being a longer format. I thought it would be better to bring in the younger, fresh blood for some much needed game time experience which bodes well for SFC and the future of Indonesian football. '

And then there is Ichsan Kurniawan. He too did a good job against Madura United, scoring an impressive goal to add shine to his outing and coach Kayamba is excited by what he sees. 'I have heard so much about Ichsan and have read the newspapers. But when I got here, I saw firsthand the raw talent that he is and the hunger he shows in training day in day out is remarkable. It is no surprise to me he is doing well. He just needs to learn and keep understanding the game more and this will come with increased playing time.'

After three rounds Sriwijaya sit two points off leaders Arema and Persija. This weekend they face a tricky away trip their third of the season, when they travel to East Java to take on Bhayangkara Surabaya United. The Cops were comfortably defeated last time out 3-0 by Arema and have one win from their first three games. They drew their last home game v PS TNI but Kayamba has been around long enough to know there are no easy games in Indonesia and BS Uniited away will be no different.

Still, Kayamba has a good feeling about the squad Sriwijaya coach Widodo Cahyo Putro has assembled and thinks this could be an exciting campaign for the fans. have learnt that the potential in the squad is endless and all of the players are still willing to learn more. There's a family vibe amongst the group and it reminds me of our championship winning team of 2011-2012. So I have a good feeling for this season. '

Labels: Keith Kayamber Jerome Gumbs St Kitts Nevis Sriwijaya Palembang, Laskar Wong Kito, Sriwijaya

Barito Putera v Gresik United 3-1 (Luis Junior, Agi Pratama 2; Eduardo Makiel) 6,700

Labels: Arema, Barito Putera, BS United, Gresik United, Madura United, Sriwijaya

Sriwijaya don't do youth. At least not at first glance. Pre ISC they recurited heavily with the focus on experience, adding players like Alberto Goncalves, Hilton Moreira, Firman Utina, TA Mushafri, M Ridwan. Put it this way. If I played for them the average age wouldn't increase that much!

Which makes their choice of goalkeeper all themore remarkable. They allowed international Dian Agus Prasetyo to join Pusamania leaving their options between the sticks and I like many others wondered which experienced keeper they would opt for.

But coach Widodo Cayho Putro, perhaps guided by goalkeeper coach Hendro Kartiko, bided his time. He didn't seem in a rush to recruit and with good reason. Rookie Teja Paku Alam has started the season and earned plenty of plaudits for his fine form with one website even going as far as naming him in their Team of the Week for Match Day 2.

I think they were a bit premature in their rush to praise him, One dive in particular looked good on the camera but the ball was going wide and anyway the Sriwijaya defence did an excellent job of marshalling what liitle threat there was from Persiba. But at a time when it looks like Indonesian football could well be readmitted to FIFA he has certainly done his reputation no harm, especially when keepers like Arrema's Meiga Kurnia and Persija's Andritany have also made a good impression early on.

Should we be surprised though? Hendro Kartiko has been goalkeeping coach at Sriwijaya since 2014 and would have seen the progress Alam had been making in the Under 21s. Kartiko is a legend in Indonesia, boasting 60 international caps and a career that saw him play for some of the biggest clubs in the country, including Sriwijaya.

Alam cut his teeth in the PSSI project iin Uruguay, unfortunately called SAD, and on his return to Indonesia in 2012 Sriwijaya swooped without hesitation for the young keeper.

Pre season another former Indonesian national team keeper Marus Horison was available. It says much for Kartiko, and WCP's, faith in Alam they passed on the opportunity to sign the experienced Horison and turned trusted instead in youth.

Mark the name. If he carries on with this fine form he could be one special keeper in years to come.

Labels: Hendro Kartiko, Laskar Wong Kito, Sriwijaya, Teja Paku Alam

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.


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...

Labels: Arema, Aremania, Baya Gatra, Madura United, Meiga Kurnia, Okta Maniani, Persiba, Shohei Matsunaga, Slamet Nurchayo, Sriwijaya

Persela v Gresik United 0-1 (Yusuf Efendi) 13,150

Persela: Choirul Huda; Eki Taufik (Taufik 75'), Samsul Arifin, Kristian Adelmund, Ramadan Saputra, Radikal Idealis (Tamsil 45+1'), Jusmadi, Edy Gunawan, Zulvin Zamrun, Mohammad Kdouh (Dendi 57'), Herman Dzumafo.
Subs: Dwi Kuswanto; Djayusman Triasdi, Taufik Kasrun, Tamsil Sijaya, Zainal Arifin, Steven Imbiri, Dendi Sulistyawan.

Gresik United: M Irfan (Sandi 61'); Sasa Zecevic, Ambrizal, Supriono, Romi Agustiawan, Oh Inkyun (Stevi 90+2'), M Rifky, Yusuf Efendi, Emile Mbamba, M Kamri, Eduardo Maciel (Hendri 74').
Subs: Sandi Firmansyah; Daniel Junaidi, Agus Indra, Stevi Bungaran, Reza Mustofa, Hendri Satriadi, Ghazali Siregar.

Persib v Sriwijaya 1-1 (Tantan; Alberto Goncalves) 25,125

Indonesia Super League champions and winners of the President Cup Persib left it late to earn a point from the opening game of the ISC campaign. Tantan, on as a second half replacement for Argentine import Robertinho saved Persib's blushes in injury time but judging by Twitter the Bobotoh were in no mood to rejoice. 

Sriwijaya had done their homework. Despite going into the game with a youngster between the sticks, well, early 20s, they stuffed their outfield with former Persib players and it was the visitors who took the lead in injury time of the first half with ex Persipura, Arema striker Goncalves finding the net. 

Last season I felt that Sriwijaya had recruited well but we never got a chance to see them at their best before the campaign was halted. This year, adopting the policy if it worked for Persib then why not us the two time ISL champions raided the West Java club for players. Not a bad start eh? And not a bad return journey for the 100 or so Sriwijaya fans who travelled overland from Palembang...about 750 kilometres with a sea crossing thrown in!

After the game Persib coach Dejan Antonic admitted the team had not played too well saying it was important the team did not lose but several of his players underperformed and he was pleased with their showing in the last 25 minutes.

Persib: I Made Wirawan; Purwaka Yudhi, Yanto Basna, Tony Sucipto, Vladimir Vujovic, Atep (David 59'), Hariono, Kim Jeffrey Kurniawan, Robertino Pugliara (Tantan 62'), Juan Belencoso, Samsul Arif (Febri 76').
Subs: M Natshir; Hermawan, M Agung Pribadi, David Laly, Febri Haryadi, Taufiq, Tantan.

Sriwijaya FC: Teja Paku Alam; Ngurah Nanak, Achmad Jufriyanto, Fachrudin Aryanto, Supardi, Wildansyah (Eka 85'), Firman Utina (Ichsan 64'), M Ridwan (Mushafry 69'), Yu Hyun Koo, Hilton Moreira, Alberto Goncalves.
Subs: Yogi Triana; Eka Ramdani, Ichsan Kurniawan, Zalnando, Airlangga Sucipto, TA Mushafry, Yohannis Nabar.

Barito Putera v Bhayangkara Surabaya United 1-2 (Ibrahim Conteh; Otavio Dutra, Rudi Widodo) 8,178

It was the home team that took the lead through Conteh but the new look Surabaya United, their first game since they merged with PS Polri fought back and earned three points thanks to a second half winner from the experienced Widodo with just six minutes on the clock.

The Cops had Shane Malcolm in their starting line up after signing the Jamaican born Guam international pre season. He had previously played for Stirling Lions in Western Australia.

Barito coach Mundari Karya rued the first half penalty awarded to BS United by  the ref saying the official was too far from the action to have seen the incident clearly. 'I still respect the decision,' he said, 'even though it changed the players attitude.'

Barito Putera: Aditya Harlan; Hansamu Yama, Mamdou El Hadji, Aswar Syamsuddin, Fathul Rahman, Lucky Wahyu ( Amirul Mukminin 69'), Adam Alis, Ibrahim Conteh, Ichsan Pratama (Paolo Sitanggang 46'), Dedi Hartono, Junior (Yongki Ariwibowo 71').
Subs: Imam A Fadillah; M Khusen, Amirul Mukminin, Paolo Sitanggang, Jefry Haay, Yongki Ariwibowo, Agi Pratama.

BS United: Wahyu Tri Nugroho; Oktavio Dutra, Suroso, Putu Gede, Fathurahman, Abel Gebor (Zulfiandi 56'), Hargianto, Fandi Eko Utomo, Abdelkibir, Rudi Widodo, Shane Malcolm.
Cadangan: Thomas Ryan; Sahrul K, Herwin Tri, Fitra Ridwan, Zulfiandi, Ilham Udin, Wahyu Subo Seto.

Labels: Barito Putera, Bhayangkara Surabaya United, Bobotoh, East Java Derby, Gresik United, Persela, Persib, PS Polri, Sriwijaya, Tantan

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.

Labels: Arema, Barito Putera, Cristian Gonzales, Indonesia, Inter Island Cup, Malang, Perseru, Sriwijaya

Labels: Arema, Barito Putra, Football, Indonesia, Inter Island Cup, Malang, Mitra Kukar, Persib, Persik, Persiram, Persru, Solo, Sriwijaya