PERSIPURA WAY IN FRONT; SRIWIJAYA LAG ON THIRD

After 30 matches in the Indonesian Super League (ISL), Persipura are sitting at the top of the table with 70 points – ten points ahead of Persiwa who are on second.

Third is Sriwijaya FC with just 54 points but having played a game extra.

As hosts, Persela were very determined to pick up the full points when they fielded all three of their strikers – Marcio Souza, Carlos Raul Suciattty, and Jimmy Suparno – into the attack.

But Sriwijya were not about to be undone against a team currently at mid-level of the standings as their backline of Charis Julianto and Tsimi Jacques made sure that they stood firm with international keeper Ferry Rotinsulu playing to his strength.

While the backline were doing their job, Sriwijaya’s strikeforce of Kayamba Gumbs and Ngon Djam failed to make an impression upfront as Sriwijaya then suffered a hiccup in the 67th minute following the marching orders on defender Ambrizal for picking up two yellow cards in one game.

Persela then intensified their attempt for the lead but the best chance they could muster was in the closing stages of the tie through substitute Dicky Firasat but just fell a little short of beating Rotinsulu.

“This is our problem,” lamented Widodo Putra, the head coach for Persela.

“We were not calm enough in search of the goals. We were too excited. But I must admit that Sriwijaya’s defence was fantastic on the day.”

CURRENT INDONESIA SUPER LEAGUE 2008/2008 STANDINGS (after 30 matches)

1. PERSIPURA 70pts (+50)

2. PERSIWA 60pts (+22)

3. SRIWIJAYA FC 54pts (+21)

4. PERSIB 54pts (+19)

5. PERSIK 48pts (+7)

6. PERSIJA 47pts (+17)

7. PELITA JAYA 45pts (+6)

8. PERSELA 45pts (+4)

9. PSM 42pts (-5)

10. PERSIJAP 41pts (+3)

11. PERSIBA 40pts (-5)

12. AREMA 36pts (-8)

13. PUPUK KALTIM 30pts (-17)

14. PERSITARA 26pts (-10)

15. PSMS 24pts (-12)

16. PERSITA 24pts (-33)

17. DELTRAS 22pts (-23)

18. PSIS 20pts (-36)