League

Likas Stadium
Spectators: 9200 (Terracing: 6926, Seating: 2124, VIP seats: 150) The mood of the audience was pleasant when Ruslan Ridliwan made the kick off which started today's match. Djati Haryanto sent away a hard shot on goal in the 3rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Sabah's Donny Reza played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Ruslan Ridliwan in the 5th minute of play. The audience was convinced that Bongky Sitepu's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Joko Reza was relentless in the 9th minute of the game. A hard shot 10 in the game by Uum Ie from a close distance when the talented Joko Reza managed to make a qualified save. PSP Mergojoso's players were relieved. PSP Mergojoso's Joko Reza played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Bongky Sitepu in the 16th minute of play. Ruslan Ridliwan hit a great freekick 16 minutes into the match. Ruslan Ridliwan received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 20th minute. Donny Reza tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. A collision led to Sabah getting a freekick after 22 minutes play. Bongky Sitepu hit a great ball. PSP Mergojoso's Djati Haryanto got a good chance for a goal in the 23rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the last second Joko Reza throw himself and got hold of the ball when Bongky Sitepu in the 27thth minute from his position got away a shot towards the right post. In the 35th minute, Ari Sipayung hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. When Rio Sugendo came up free with the goalie in the 41st minute, the PSP Mergojoso fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Rio Sugendo couldn't finish the play. After 43 minutes, Bongky Sitepu made it 1-0 with a short kick to the right side. PSP Mergojoso's Joko Reza tried to save the shot but he was too slow in reacting to the shot. Af the end of the first half the score was 1-0. The first half had gone as expected for the home team.

Both teams looked relatively alert before the second half when the referee blew his whistle to tell Bongky Sitepu to make the kick off. In the 52nd match minute, PSP Mergojoso was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Lelo Sitepu to maneuver through the defense. After some fancy dribbling in the 53rd minute, Ruslan Ridliwan managed to get in a good position for a shot. PSP Mergojoso's supporters rose to their feet, but Ruslan Ridliwan was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Donny Reza breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Djati Haryanto received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 57th minute. Donny Reza tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After a rather tough play, Sabah's Uum Ie got a free kick in the 61st minute. In the 68th minute, PSP Mergojoso's Djati Haryanto dribbled the ball into the box and hit a shot with the outside of his foot, sending the keeper the wrong way. 1-1. Ruslan Ridliwan recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 78th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 82nd minute, one of PSP Mergojoso:s players had the ball in front of the goal but got pushed and fell. The referee felt it was an obvious case and blew a penalty for PSP Mergojoso. PSP Mergojoso:s Joko Reza showed great skill when he stopped Hastomo Sembiring:s penalty. Joko Reza didn't have a chance when a screaming shot from Hastomo Sembiring went, in the 84th minute, to the upper right corner, 2-1 was the resulting score. 90 minutes into the match, PSP Mergojoso's goal looked a bit too open when Bongky Sitepu came free, but Joko Reza reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. After 98 played minutes PSP Mergojoso got a freekick which was hit by Ari Sipayung. It was no surprise that this one had ended in a win for the home team. Sabah had played much better football throughout.