League Play-Off

Popolii Stadion
Spectators: 34 (Terracing: 26, Seating: 8, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Alif Ramdhani started the match with the kick off. In the 3rd minute Sidharta Supendi shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Erwin Juhana saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. If Tukul Irianto had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 4th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Erwin Juhana took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Tukul Irianto, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. An unexpected shot in the 14th minute by Diki Kondologit got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. The Tegowanu fans' excitement grew in the 16th match minute when Tegowanu's Sidharta Supendi looked to have a clear shot with the ball near the goal. The shot wasn't hard, but the ball still rolled over the goal line to make it 0-1 before the goalkeeper had a chance to intervene. 19 minutes into the match, M. Ikhsan Purba had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Jamal Napitupulu. Tegowanu's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that M. Ikhsan Purba was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 1-1. Erwin Juhana made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Tukul Irianto in the 22nd minute of play. Tukul Irianto fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 24th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Erwin Juhana having to interfere. In the 30th minute the ball was on its way in behind PSS Popolii's goalkeeper Erwin Juhana, but with the help of a sacrificing defense, he could catch the ball at the crossbar. Tukul Irianto sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. 40 minutes into the match, PSS Popolii's Gungun Kili-kili sent off a blazing shot straight on target, a shot that Jamal Napitupulu narrowly saved just below the crossbar. The referee was alert and spotted a serious foul by Gandung Fitrianto during the 42nd minute. The player immediately received a yellow card. If Alif Ramdhani had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 49th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-1 at half-time.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Tukul Irianto stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. Fitrah Setiadi hit a great freekick 55 minutes into the match. Jamal Napitupulu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Alif Ramdhani, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. Alif Ramdhani scored 3-1 in the 67th match minute with a shot that went into the goal to the right of Jamal Napitupulu, who was just a little too slow in reacting to the shot. After a rather tough play, PSS Popolii's Alif Ramdhani got a free kick in the 72nd minute. Tegowanu were furious when Pinilih Nataprawira was red carded, 74 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. 74 minutes into the game, one of Tegowanu:s players got tackled near the goal, and the referee blew for a penalty. Batara Soekarno walked up to take care of the penalty kick. He was aiming for the top corner, but the ball went just outside the post. M. Ikhsan Purba received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 82nd minute. Jamal Napitupulu tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. PSS Popolii were really happy, having secured the victory after a very even contest. They thanked the players of Tegowanu for a fine match.