Four Clubs Advance To Semifinals In President Cup

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Four soccer clubs, namely Mitra Kukar of East Kalimantan, Persib Bandung of West Java, Sriwijaya FC of South Sumatra and Arema Cronus Indonesia of Malang, East Java finally advanced to semifinals of President Cup.

Mitra Kukar advanced to the President Cup semi-finals despite its loss 1-2 to the host PSM Makassar in the second leg of quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament in Makassar, South Sulawesi on Saturday (Sept.26).

The two goals for PSM were scored by Syamsul Chaeruddin at 78th minute and Agung Prasetyo during extra time, but PSM failed to advance to the semi-finals due to its loss in the number of away goals.

Mitra Kukar which first met PSM in Aji Imbut stadium in East Kalimantan last week defeated PSM 1-0.

Although the aggregate 2-2 but the East Kalimantan`s team has the right to advance to the semi-finals after the Kukar`s player Mamu scored the goal at the PSM`s home.

The Mitra Kukar`s success was followed by the Persib Bandung soccer club of West Java which defeated its guest Pusamania Borneo FC of East Kalimantan 2-1 (0-1) in the second leg of quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament here Saturday evening (Sept.26).

The Persib Bandung soccer club of West Java defeated guests Pusamania Borneo FC of East Kalimantan 2-1 (0-1) during the second leg of the quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament on Saturday evening.

Persib`s victory was achieved through a dramatic match, in which it conceded one goal during the first half, with a goal scored by Jajang Mulyana in the 35th minute.

During the 66th minute, Persib`s player Makan Konate netted one goal and the second goal for Persib`s victory was scored by Zualham Zamrun in the 69th minute.

The match which took place at the Si Jalak Harupat Soreang stadium in Bandung District, during which Referee Jumadi Effendi issued 11 yellow cards and three red cards.

With the victory, Persib is the second team to qualify for the President`s Cup semi-finals after the Mitra Kukar soccer team.

On September 20, the Pusamania Borneo Football Club (PBFC) successfully defeated Persib Bandung 3-2 during the first leg of the quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament in East Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, referee declared that the Persebaya United of East Java soccer team lost due to Walk Out (WO) after its reluctance to resume playing against the Sriwijaya FC in the first round of the second leg of the quarterfinals in Jakabaring Stadium in Palembang on Sunday.

The Persebaya United squad lodged a protest after the referee pointed the white point due to a handball committed by one of the Persebaya`s player.

A match supervisor said the referee`s decision to appoint the white point after a handball is not inviolable.

The referee has waited until 3x5 minutes after the Persebaya`s squad decided left the field in the 12th minute. However, until the third whistle is blown, the Surabaya team remained in their locker room.

On Sunday afternoon (Sept. 19), the Persebaya United defeated Sriwijaya FC 1-0 in the first leg of quarterfinals which took place in Surabaya city.

The single goal was scored by Persebaya`s player Slamet Nur Cahyo in the 84th minute.

"Thank God, although it (goal) was only scored towards the end of the match," the Persebaya United coach Ibnu Grahan said after match.

Slamet Nur Cahyo who replaced Siswanto in the 72nd minute successfully broke the deadlock with a shot by his left leg to the left corner of the goal of Sriwijaya FC which was guarded by Dian Agus.

In the game which was watched by 5,000 supporters, the score of goalless draw last until halftime.

Despite appearing in pressure, the Sriwijaya FC commanded by Titus Bonay obtained golden opportunities several times including in 54th minute.

In the meantime, assistant of the Sriwijaya FC coach Hartono Ruslan expressed optimism that his team will advance to the top four round of the President Cup and will net more than two goals in the second-round match at the Jaka Baring Stadium Palembang on September 27.

The Arema Cronus Indonesia successfully kept its promise by defeating the host Bali United 3-2 in the second leg in Gianyar, Bali, on Sunday night (Sept.27).

On Saturday night (Sept.19), Arema Cronus Indonesia defeated Bali United club of Bali province 2-1 in the first leg of quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament in Malang, East Java.

The quarterfinals took place in four cities, namely Bandung (group A), Malang (group B), Bali (group C) and Makassar (Group D).

Apart from that, Mahaka Sports which organizes the President Cup soccer tournament has offered a cash prize of Rp3 billion for the champion.

According to Erik Tohir, president director of the Mahaka Sports, the runner up in the tournament will earn a cash prize of Rp2 billion, the third will obtain Rp1 billion and the fourth will gain Rp500 million.

In addition, the tournament`s organizer also offers cash prize worth Rp200 million for the best player, Rp 100 million for the top scorer and Rp300 million for the most `fair play` club. (WDY)