How did I end up here?

[binny]

We wanted to get back on track straight away, but a visit from early league leaders Pupuk Kaltim wasn’t going to be easy. Miftahul Huda was finally available to make his debut at right-back, whilst Gustavo Roberto Chena replaced Fodé Camara up front, who was on international duty with Guinea.

We played really well right from the start, and Pupuk Kaltim struggled to cope with our incisive play. However, finding the net was proving to be a real problem for us, as none of our strikers have really looked sharp so far this season. Yes, their goalkeeper did keep them in it on the odd occasion, but we really only had ourselves to blame.

Pupuk Kaltim did cause us one or two problems on the break during the second period, but we kept them at bay, and continued to pour forward. Six minutes from time we finally got a breakthrough as Nova Zaenal came off the bench to finally give us the lead, and in injury time, Gustavo Roberto Chena opened his account for the season to give us a timely and much deserved victory.

[binny]

The opening month of the season ended with a trip to Persita and, although he looked a little jaded from his trip back from Africa, Fodé Camara was given the nod again, relegating Chena back to the bench.

The home side started the day leading the table, but they didn’t look like title challengers as we set about starting to rain chances onto their goal. Camara and Pamungkas both missed chances, before we finally took a deserved lead on the half hour when Muhammad Iqbal got the final touch after a melee in the box. It was the first goal for the left-winger since his summer move.

The home side were really disappointing, and we really should and could have wrapped up victory before Bambang Pamungkas’ effort 18 minutes into the second half. 2-0 was very comfortable, the defence did their job late on, and we are starting to look like the title challengers that I expected us to be.

[binny]

SUMMARY – January 2007

PSMS 1 (Mahyadi Panggabean pen 52)

Persija 1 (Fodé Camara 37)

Attendance: 10092

Persija 2 (Bambang Pamungkas 40, 83)

Deltras 0

Attendance: 15478

PSM 2 (Bruno Herrera 26, Christian Gonzales 78)

Persija 0

Attendance: 17963

Persija 2 (Nova Zaenal 84, Gustavo Roberto Chena 90)

Pupuk Kaltim 0

Attendance: 16092

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persita 5 4 0 1 13 5 +8 12

2nd Pupuk Kaltim 5 4 0 1 13 5 +8 12

3rd Persebaya 5 3 2 0 12 4 +8 11

4th Persija 5 3 1 1 7 3 +4 10

5th Arema 5 3 1 1 9 6 +3 10

6th PSM 5 2 3 0 9 6 +3 9

7th PSPS 5 2 2 1 4 3 +1 8

8th Persijatim 5 2 1 2 5 4 +1 7

9th Petrokimia Putra 5 2 1 2 8 9 -1 7

10th PSMS 5 2 1 2 5 6 -1 7

11th Semen Padang 5 2 1 2 6 9 -3 7

12th PSIS 5 1 2 2 9 14 -5 5

13th Persib 5 1 1 3 7 10 -3 4

14th Persipura 5 1 1 3 3 8 -5 4

15th Deltras 5 0 3 2 2 5 -3 3

16th PSS 5 1 0 4 4 8 -4 3

17th Persik 5 1 0 4 5 12 -7 3

18th Persikota 5 0 2 3 5 9 -4 2

</pre>

[binny]

February began with a home tie against struggling PSS, and although we play only three days after the previous game, it’s an unchanged lineup.

To say it was easy would be somewhat of an understatement. We missed numerous chances in the first twenty minutes, before neat play from Iqbal set up Bambang Pamungkas to get us onto the scoresheet. A similar move fifteen minutes later resulted in a second, and we were cruising at half time.

We weren’t quite as dominant in the second period, but a third goal came out of the blue as Trevor Duaramuri fired in from outside the box midway through the second period. And six minutes from time Fodé Camara added a fourth to condemn the visitors to another defeat.

[furtherseemsforever]

Great story, mate. Well done.

My uncle brought me back two shirst from Malaysia about 5-6 years ago. SABAH home & away.

Interesting how Brazilians get everywhere!

KUTGW

[binny]

Agreed. It is a little strange, but if they help to win the league, who cares? Glad you're enjoying the tale

Six players started for Indonesia in midweek as they ran out 3-0 winners over Chinese Taipei, and thankfully all escaped unscathed for our trip to Semen Padang. Bambang Pamungkas opened the scoring to make it 13 goals in 15 caps, and Harry Saputra grabbed the third.

Once again we could have scored inside the opening seconds, but we were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back, and fell behind after just five minutes. We weren’t used to being behind, and so it was with much relief when Affan Lubis equalised on twenty minutes with a wonderfully taken free kick. That gave us a spark to get forward, but as the half wore on, Semen Padang got back into the game and had their chances to retake the lead.

Both sides were in no mood to give up victory, and the second half saw further chances for both sides. A goal came twenty minutes from time, and it was Fodé Camara who got it. But we then seemed to fall apart at the back, and were lucky not to concede until Alex Daniel Cabrera hit a wonderful long-range strike with just six minutes remaining.

We’re not a side for giving up though, and with time ticking away, Muhammad Iqbal saw a shot squirm in under the goalkeeper to steal all three points for us.

[binny]

Ahead of the home tie with PSIS, we suffered a double injury blow. Bambang Pamungkas strained his knee ligaments, and minutes later Imran Nahumarary strained his groin. Both went in for surgery during the week, and have been replaced in the side by Gustavo Roberto Chena and Ellie Aiboy respectively.

We were clearly missing the presence of Pamungkas as we wasted chances during the first half, and Chena was clearly struggling on only his second start of the season. PSIS looked dangerous on the break as well, but neither side could score in a goalless first half.

Chances were squandered early in the second half as well, and the failure to score was starting to get to the fans, as well as the players. On came Nova Zaenal, and within minutes of coming on, he finally put away a chance to give us the lead. PSIS were still a threat though, and we had to survive a number of close calls as the lead remained intact. And in injury time Nova Zaenal put away another effort to give us all three points and take us to the top of the table for the first time this season.

[binny]

Another injury struck during the week; this time it was Trevor Duaramuri who strained his groin, and is unlikely to be fit for nearly a month. We were away at Arema next, and I decided to push Iqbal into the middle, with Nasuha coming in on the left wing.

It was a difficult match for both sides, and we were again up against a well-organised side. Even being the away side, opposition teams seem to go on the defensive, and that puts the onus on us getting forward. We don’t really seem to mind that, but it was frustrating to still go into the break at 0-0.

We kept plugging away in the second half, and on the hour a mix-up in the box allowed us to finally bundle the ball home; Fodé Camara getting the final touch to give us the lead. Arema did cause us the odd problem on the break, but in truth we were never really troubled by them, and the 1-0 win could have been a lot better.

[binny]

Three days later we were at home to a struggling Persik side, and despite a few players looking a little jaded, it’s an unchanged line-up once more. Nasuha keeps his place on the wing after a fantastic first start during the week.

Persik made it difficult for us early on, and they had a few free kicks that caused us a few nervous moments. We weren’t playing particularly well either, but on the half hour we were handed a penalty, and Fodé Camara made no mistake from the spot.

Ten minutes into the second half we were given a second penalty in what was a needless challenge, but Camara failed to take advantage, sending his effort well past the far post. That gave the visitors hope, but on the whole we dealt with their efforts well. Indeed, we hit the crossbar twice in the last ten minutes or so as we tried to extend our lead, but it wasn’t to be.

Still, a 1-0 win still gave us 3 points, and maximum points in February sees me named as the Manager of the Month. Let’s hope that the curse doesn’t strike as we go into March.

[binny]

SUMMARY – February 2007

Persija 4 (Bambang Pamungkas 21, 37, Trevor Duaramuri 66, Fodé Camara 84)

PSS 0

Attendance: 15489

Semen Padang 2 (Kusdiyanto 5, Alex Daniel Cabrera 84)

Persija 3 (Affan Lubis 19, Fodé Camara 70, Muhammad Iqbal 90)

Attendance: 17028

Persija 2 (Nova Zaenal 72, 90)

PSIS 0

Attendance: 15470

Arema 0

Persija 1 (Fodé Camara 59)

Attendance: 19974

Persija 1 (Fodé Camara pen 28, m/pen 55)

Persik 0

Attendance: 15456

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persija 10 8 1 1 18 5 +13 25

2nd Persita 10 6 1 3 25 17 +8 19

3rd Persebaya 10 5 3 2 19 11 +8 18

4th PSM 10 4 5 1 16 10 +6 17

5th PSMS 10 5 2 3 15 10 +5 17

6th Petrokimia Putra 10 5 1 4 20 14 +6 16

7th Semen Padang 10 5 1 4 18 16 +2 16

8th Pupuk Kaltim 10 5 1 4 17 15 +2 16

9th Persijatim 10 4 1 5 12 12 0 13

10th Arema 10 4 1 5 14 19 -5 13

11th PSPS 10 3 3 4 9 10 -1 12

12th Persib 10 3 3 4 16 21 -5 12

13th PSS 10 4 0 6 10 15 -5 12

14th PSIS 10 3 3 4 14 20 -6 12

15th Persipura 10 2 4 4 9 14 -5 10

16th Persik 10 3 1 6 13 20 -7 10

17th Persikota 10 2 3 5 14 13 +1 9

18th Deltras 10 0 4 6 6 23 -17 4

</pre>

[binny]

March began with a home tie with PSPS, and despite our injured players making good progress, none of them were fit enough to make the matchday squad, and it was an unchanged line-up.

We started brightly, and created a few chances early on, but our shape was severely disrupted when Muhammad Iqbal had to come off with a groin strain after just thirteen minutes of play. We seemed to lose our way in midfield for about 15 minutes, but PSPS didn’t look up to anything either, and we soon got back into our stride. We weren’t at our best; far from it, but Affan Lubis’ free kick five minutes before half time got us into half time ahead.

We didn’t look particularly sharp up front, and as the second half wore on, PSPS caused a few problems on the break. Eight minutes from time though we could have wrapped up the tie as Nova Zaenal was bundled over in the box, but the substitute sent his penalty over the bar.

The victory came about in the end, but the cost was the loss of both Muhammad Iqbal and Affan Lubis for a fortnight; the former with a groin strain and the latter with a damaged foot.

[binny]

Imran Nahumarary was back in the line-up to replace the injured Muhammad Iqbal, whilst on the right wing Arliston came in for Affan Lubis. Otherwise, the line-up was unchanged for the trip to a struggling Persipura side.

We were really poor today, and found ourselves under pressure from the home side from the off. Any neutral at the ground would have had difficulty identifying the side leading the table against the side currently occupying a relegation spot. We never got to grips with their pacey wingers, and five minutes before half time we conceded our first goal for 406 minutes to fifteen-year-old winger Iskandar.

Things didn’t improve much in the second half either; even with the introduction of some fresh legs. And the day ended on a really bad note as Matías Alejandro Chávez had to come off with a damaged elbow with five minutes to go. Thankfully, the Argentine defender should only be out for a week or so, but he will miss our tie in midweek.

[binny]

Four days later we hosted a struggling Persikota side, and Harry Saputra was brought in for his first start to replace the injured Chávez. Bambang Pamungkas was also available once more, and he replaced Chena up front.

The loss at the weekend really seemed to knock the stuffing out of us, and we weren’t really playing all that well during the first half. Persikota looked better than their league position suggested, but they also lacked a ruthless touch in front of goal, and at half time it was still 0-0.

Things were much the same in the second half, and it was inevitable that a crazy moment of ball-pinging led to the opening goal; Chena, on as a substitute, getting the final touch midway through the second half. But eight minutes later we conceded an equaliser on the break, and we failed to recover from our weekend defeat with a victory.

[binny]

The trip to Persib came just three days later, and some tired legs sees a number of changes to the line-up as we try to juggle the fit members of the squad.

And we didn’t get off to the best of starts either, conceding after just six minutes, and looking decidedly dodgy at the back as the home side came at us. Slowly we started to get a grip on the game, but we were still not doing much up front. But all we needed was one moment of magic, and just before half time we got it as Hamka Hamzah fired in through a boxful of players following a corner kick.

But all of our good work was undone two minutes into the second half as we held off for too long at the back, and found ourselves behind again. Again, we tried to prod our way through, but Persib played well defensively, and allied to some poor finishing, they seemed to be heading for the three points. But three minutes from time young Putut Jati danced through the Persib back line and despatched the ball into the back of the net to earn us a point.

[binny]

Dropped points over the past two weeks have seen Persebaya close to within three points at the top of the season, and we travel to the champions knowing that this could have a major effect on the destination of the title this season. We had managed to clear up all the injuries and niggles, and were finally back at full strength for the tie.

It was a good, open tie in the opening exchanges, and both sides showed attacking flair and intent to get forward and create chances. Midway through the half though we were undone, and the home side took the lead through a well-worked goal. For a while, we struggled to get back into the game, but with ten minutes to go before the break some lovely passing ended with Trevor Duaramuri firing in an equaliser past a helpless goalkeeper.

The second half saw some more combative football, and both sides had enough chances to get a second goal that most fans were left wondering how the game ended 1-1. Still, a point against the reigning champions is a good result, although we could do with getting back into the winner’s enclosure.

[binny]

The final game of March was a home tie with Persijatim, and despite internationals having been played during the week, no one came back injured. But yesterday both Fodé Camara and Ellie Aiboy suffered groin strains, and were unavailable for the tie. Chena came in up front for Camara, whilst Jati replaced Aiboy on the bench.

Buoyed by the result at Persebaya last week, we set about this game with a lot more confidence, and we finally looked like scoring. The first goal came after 19 minutes through the fit-again Muhammad Iqbal as he cut in from the left flank, and before half time Bambang Pamungkas grabbed a second to add to his brace in midweek for Indonesia.

We seemed to be totally in control, but out of nothing Persijatim pulled a goal back with a screamer from 30 yards out, and with still half an hour to play, Trevor Duaramuri was sent off for a second booking. Before the visitors could get used to their numerical advantage, Affan Lubis put us 3-1 up, and although the visitors pulled another goal back, we held on to claim our first victory since early March.

[binny]

SUMMARY – March 2007

Persija 1 (Affan Lubis 40, Nova Zaenal m/pen 82)

PSPS 0

Attendance: 15483

Persipura 1 (Iskandar 40)

Persija 0

Attendance: 29980

Persija 1 (Gustavo Roberto Chena 68)

Persikota 1 (Epalla Jordan 76)

Attendance: 15488

Persib 2 (Usep Munander 6, Imran Korea Usman 47)

Persija 2 (Hamka Hamzah 44, Putut Waringin Jati 87)

Attendance: 18271

Persebaya 1 (Wayan Lubis 24)

Persija 1 (Trevor Duaramuri 34)

Attendance: 13656

Persija 3 (Muhammad Iqbal 19, Bambang Pamungkas 38, Affan Lubis 66, Trevor Duaramuri s/o 61)

Persijatim 2 (Muhammad Husein 57, Berto Mambrasar 73)

Attendance: 14264

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persija 16 10 4 2 26 12 +14 34

2nd Persebaya 16 9 4 3 26 14 +12 31

3rd PSM 16 7 8 1 23 13 +10 29

4th Persita 16 8 4 4 33 21 +12 28

5th Persipura 16 7 4 5 19 16 +3 25

6th Semen Padang 16 7 3 6 26 22 +4 24

7th Petrokimia Putra 16 7 3 6 26 23 +3 24

8th PSMS 16 6 4 6 19 18 +1 22

9th PSIS 16 6 4 6 25 26 -1 22

10th Pupuk Kaltim 16 6 4 6 24 26 -2 22

11th Persijatim 16 5 4 7 19 20 -1 19

12th Arema 16 5 4 7 16 23 -7 19

13th PSPS 16 4 6 6 12 15 -3 18

14th Persib 16 4 6 6 21 31 -10 18

15th PSS 16 5 2 9 15 21 -6 17

16th Persikota 16 4 4 8 22 23 -1 16

17th Persik 16 4 4 8 16 25 -9 16

18th Deltras 16 1 6 9 9 28 -19 9

</pre>

[binny]

Trevor Duaramuri was suspended for the home tie against Petrokimia Putra, but that wouldn’t have mattered anyway, as he strained his knee ligaments during training, and is unlikely to feature for us this month. With Ellie Aiboy still injured, Iqbal was pushed infield, and Nashua was brought in on the left wing.

It was clear who were the better team from the beginning as we set about laying siege to the visitors’ defence. Chance after chance though was squandered as both poor finishing and excellent goalkeeping denied us. But ten minutes before the break we got our break through as Affan Lubis fired in, and we were comfortably ahead.

We continued in similar fashion in the second half, but the visitors soon started to come at us, and we found ourselves under a little bit of pressure. That being said, it was poor defending that allowed them in for their equaliser, and that was after Nashua had missed a sitter as well. We had further chances as the game wore on, but we couldn’t keep the ball down on the whole, and even when we could, their goalkeeper was in superb form to earn his side a point.

[binny]

The second half of the season began with a home tie against PSMS, and Ellie Aiboy was drafted into the midfield at the expense of Nasuha. And in defence, Chávez was exhausted, and so Saputra was given a starting berth at centre back. Up front, Fodé Camara was fit again, relegating Chena back down to the bench.

It took us just eight minutes to take the lead, as Ellie Aiboy hit his first goal of the season from 30 yards out as the defence opened up. PSMS were disappointing, and we continued to pressurise the visitors’ goal throughout the first half. The second goal though only came in injury time as Muhammad Iqbal stretched to turn in an Affan Lubis free kick.

The result was beyond doubt in the second half as the visitors rarely threatened, and with seventeen minutes left to play, Pamungkas added a third for us, albeit at the second attempt. And in injury time at the end of the game, Chena made it 4-0 as we finally put a side to the sword.

[binny]

A trip to bottom-club Deltras wasn’t quite as easy as it sounded, as they’ve started to play well in the last few weeks. Chávez was back in the defence in place of Saputra, but otherwise the side was unchanged.

For a side battling against the drop, Deltras showed some really good, attacking flair early on, and had us rocking at the back. Indeed, twenty minutes in we found ourselves behind without having threatened the home side’s goal at all. But we soon got a grip on the game, and thirteen minuets after falling behind, Pamungkas equalised with a lovely strike that went in off the near post. But we lost concentration after the goal, and within three minutes were undone by another fantastic strike, and we went into the break behind.

We needed to get an equaliser quickly, and two minutes into the second half we got it as Fodé Camara headed in at the far post. Four minutes later Pamungkas headed us into the lead for the first time in the match, and we could now play with the freedom that we had grown used to. Pamungkas completed his hatrick twenty minutes from time, taking his tally for the season to ten, and Deltras’ poor season continues.

[binny]

During the week, Nova Zaenal was allowed to leave the club to join Persib for £5,000, but his departure was overshadowed by the build-up to the home tie with PSM, who are only three points behind us going into the game.

An unchanged line-up was witnessed by an almost-full stadium, and both sides looked good in the early exchanges. Defences tended to be on top, but with twenty minutes gone Affan Lubis gave us the lead with a wonderfully-flighted free kick. PSM had their chances as well, but we probably deserved to be ahead at half time due to the sheer number of chances that we had.

But failing to put away chances is always likely to cost you against the top sides, and ten minutes into the second period PSM hit us on the break and equalised. We didn’t lose hope though, and kept pouring forward. Chance after chance went, and with fifteen minutes to go Affan Lubis restored our lead, having come in from the wing to latch onto a loose ball. The game seemed to be heading our way, as did the title race, but in injury time PSM caught us cold, and we had to settle for a draw.

[binny]

SUMMARY – April 2007

Persija 1 (Affan Lubis 35)

Petrokimia Putra 1 (Lukas Ronald Rumkaba 66)

Attendance: 15470

Persija 4 (Ellie Aiboy 8, Muhammad Iqbal 45, Bambang Pamungkas 73, Gustavo Roberto Chena 90)

Attendance: 13573

Deltras 2 (Suprano 20, Jainal Ichwan 36)

Persija 4 (Bambang Pamungkas 33, 51, 69, Fodé Camara 47)

Attendance: 14320

Persija 2 (Affan Lubis 21, 75)

PSM 2 (Boy Jati Asmara 55, Andy Wijaya 90)

Attendance: 18599

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persija 20 12 6 2 37 17 +20 42

2nd PSM 20 10 9 1 31 15 +16 39

3rd Persebaya 20 10 6 4 30 16 +14 36

4th Persipura 20 9 6 5 25 16 +9 33

5th Persita 20 8 6 6 36 26 +10 30

6th Semen Padang 20 8 5 7 32 29 +3 29

7th Petrokimia Putra 20 7 6 7 28 29 -1 27

8th PSIS 20 7 6 7 30 32 -2 27

9th PSS 20 8 3 9 19 21 -2 27

10th PSMS 20 7 5 8 22 25 -3 26

11th PSPS 20 5 9 6 17 17 0 24

12th Pupuk Kaltim 20 6 5 9 26 33 -7 23

13th Persib 20 5 8 7 25 36 -11 23

14th Persijatim 20 5 7 8 21 25 -4 22

15th Arema 20 6 4 10 23 30 -7 22

16th Persikota 20 5 5 10 24 29 -5 20

17th Persik 20 4 7 9 17 28 -11 19

18th Deltras 20 3 7 10 16 35 -19 16

</pre>

[binny]

A trip to mid-table Pupuk Kaltim was next up for us, and we were still at full-strength for the tie.

We passed the ball around well in the opening exchanges, and although the home side flashed a few shots wide, we were creating the better chances, and Affan Lubis continued his impressive goalscoring run by giving us the lead after seventeen minutes, heading home Iqbal’s cross at the far post. We could, and probably should, have added to the score before half time, but we were still ahead at the break, largely due to our goal being rarely threatened.

It was a similar game in the second half, as we continued to have the better chances, and only woodwork and the goalkeeper denied us finding the net. The home side still pushed forward occasionally without getting anything on target, and we looked comfortable. But we still wanted a second, and three minutes from time Hamka Hamzah got ahead of his marker at a corner to give it to us. And with PSM losing, we’ve opened up a six point gap at the top of the division to give us that extra cushion going into the final run-in.

[binny]

Transfer deadline day came about midweek, and without having intended to, events on the day caused me to be quite busy. Syamsidar has been fantastic for us in goal, but when PSM came in for him, I couldn’t say no, especially as we managed to get Surani, an international midfielder, in exchange for the goalkeeper. Furthermore, Kurnia Sandy will more than capably step into the net, and I completed the signing of Cameroonian keeper Mbeng Jean for an initial fee of £6,000 to act as cover.

Surani went straight into the line-up for the home match against 5th-placed Persita, dropping Imran Nahumarary to the bench. Kurnia Sandy came into goal to replace the departed Syamsidar, as had been expected.

We were all over the visitors from the word go, and the only surprise was that Pamungkas took twenty minutes to open the scoring. And it wasn’t a bad goal either, as he showed immense control to jiggle his way through the visitors’ defence, and then fire the ball into the back of the net.

The game was a bit of a formality after that. Sandy hardly had a thing to do on his debut, and Surani did a decent job in the centre of the park. Pamungkas added a second midway through the second half, and things are looking very rosy indeed.

[binny]

The good mood in the camp suffered a little dent during the week when Bambang Pamungkas picked up yet another training-ground injury; this time twisting his knee. It’s not too serious thankfully, and he should be back in the team within a fortnight. That allowed Chena a starting berth for the trip to PSS who are chasing for a top-four finish.

It was a tight game early on, and we actually found ourselves on the back foot for much of the opening exchanges. PSS tested us with a number of set pieces, and even hit the woodwork as we struggled to keep our goal clear. But it only takes a moment to score a goal, and with our first effort, Chena jinked into the box and put the ball into the far corner to give us the lead.

We upped the ante after that, but just as we looked comfortable going into half time, we allowed the home tie to get back into the tie as we failed to clear the ball. The second half saw a few more clear-cut chances for us, but we didn’t look properly sharp. Even when PSS were reduced to ten men with thirteen minutes to go, we didn’t really get our game together, and had to settle for just a point.

[binny]

The build-up to the home tie with Semen Padang saw Miftahul Huda pick up a groin strain, and his place in the line-up was taken by Suroso. Otherwise, the team was unchanged, with Pamungkas still not fit enough to return.

If last week’s game was poor, this was worse. Semen Padang didn’t show very much either, and it led to a highly boring game. But a boring game invariably just needs one moment of luck or magic to win it, and in first half injury time Surani tried his luck, and ball bobbled in past a statuesque goalkeeper.

We had a few chances to double the lead in the second half, but we never really bothered. The visitors did try to catch us on the break on the odd occasion, but we defended well, and saw out the game to claim all three points.

[binny]

SUMMARY – May 2007

Pupuk Kaltim 0

Persija 2 (Affan Lubis 17, Hamka Hamzah 87)

Attendance: 14196

Persija 2 (Bambang Pamungkas 19, 64)

Persita 0

Attendance: 16590

PSS 1 (Fajar Listiyantoro 45, Muhammad Sholeh s/o 77)

Persija 1 (Gustavo Roberto Chena 31)

Attendance: 12985

Persija 1 (Surani 45)

Semen Padang 0

Attendance: 15485

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persija 24 15 7 2 43 18 +25 52

2nd Persebaya 24 13 7 4 39 19 +20 46

3rd PSM 24 11 11 2 34 18 +16 44

4th Persipura 24 11 8 5 30 18 +12 41

5th PSPS 24 8 10 6 26 19 +7 34

6th Persita 24 9 7 8 38 32 +6 34

7th PSS 24 10 4 10 24 26 -2 34

8th PSMS 24 9 6 9 29 28 +1 33

9th Semen Padang 24 9 5 10 36 35 +1 32

10th PSIS 24 8 8 8 33 35 -2 32

11th Petrokimia Putra 24 8 7 9 32 33 -1 31

12th Persijatim 24 6 8 10 23 28 -5 26

13th Arema 24 7 5 12 26 35 -9 26

14th Persik 24 5 10 9 20 29 -9 25

15th Persib 24 5 10 9 25 44 -19 25

16th Persikota 24 6 6 12 27 34 -7 24

17th Pupuk Kaltim 24 6 6 12 28 41 -13 24

18th Deltras 24 3 9 12 18 39 -21 18

</pre>

[binny]

A trip to PSIS was next up for us and we welcomed Miftahul Huda back into the line-up at right-back. Otherwise, we were unchanged for a game against a mid-table side.

The game was a tight affair, with neither side pushing forward too much, with neither side prepared to risk being opened up at the back. It led to few chances at either end, and the fans had to ensure a tepid first half.

Things didn’t improve much in the second half, but with time running out, both sides showed a little more intent as they tried to nick all three points. Six minutes from time the deadlock was broken, and unfortunately for us, we held off their player too long and lost the game to a long-range effort.

[binny]

The last game before the mid-season break was a trip to Persik and we were up to full strength for the tie.

We played really poorly in the first half, and just couldn’t keep the Persik tide at bay. We conceded one within 15 minutes of the start, and a second was forthcoming just after the half hour mark. It could have been worse though at the break, but two goals still seemed like a mountain.

It wasn’t hard, but we were much improved in the second half. Still, Persik defended well, and although Chena pulled a goal back with twenty minutes to play, we never really looked like getting an equaliser as we lost a second successive game.

[binny]

The mid-season break was punctuated by a home tie with Arema, and the three weeks since the previous game has allowed all niggles to clear. We were though without the suspended Chávez, and so Saputra was given a berth at centre-back.

Seven minutes in we conceded a needless penalty, but thankfully, Hermawan sent the kick straight at Sandy and the goalkeeper saved. That gave us a bit of confidence, and after creating a few chances, Fodé Camara gave us the lead midway through the second half with a well-taken header. We could, and probably should, have scored a few more by half time, but had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the break.

We continued to create chances in the second half, but our finishing was woeful and we failed to build on our lead. That’s always dangerous, and fifteen minutes from time we were caught on the break, and only claimed a single point from a match we should have won.

[binny]

With a few weeks to think about things before the final run-in, I decided to stick with the playing staff available to me, as I believe that we have the quality to challenge. We’re only two points behind the leaders Persebaya, and we still have to play them in the last seven games of the season.

What I did decide to do was to swell the backroom staff, in a bid to inject a bit of new life into the club. Fellow Englishman Rob Campkin joined as a scout, as did local boy Symarizal. On the coaching front, I went back to Malaysia to persuade Raja Azlan Shah Raja So’ib to play a role, whilst young and promising Bonggo Pribadi comes to the club as assistant manager. The current incumbent, Yuswardi, has agreed to a step-down in role, and will concentrate on coaching.

[binny]

SUMMARY – June-July 2007

PSIS 1 (Mahmud Bachtiar 84)

Persija 0

Attendance: 29992

Persik 2 (Bertha Yuana Putra 14, Frank Bamidelle 33)

Persija 1 (Gustavo Roberto Chena 71)

Attendance: 14744

Persija 1 (Fodé Camara 22)

Arema 1 (Budi Sudarsono 76, Hermawan m/pen 7)

Attendance: 15474

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persebaya 27 16 7 4 47 21 +26 55

2nd Persija 27 15 8 4 45 22 +23 53

3rd PSM 27 13 11 3 42 22 +20 50

4th Persipura 27 12 9 6 34 21 +13 45

5th Persita 27 11 7 9 45 36 +9 40

6th PSIS 27 10 9 8 36 36 0 39

7th PSPS 27 9 11 7 28 20 +8 38

8th PSMS 27 10 7 10 32 32 0 37

9th PSS 27 10 5 12 25 30 -5 35

10th Semen Padang 27 9 6 12 38 40 -2 33

11th Petrokimia Putra 27 8 8 11 34 37 -3 32

12th Persijatim 27 7 10 10 26 30 -4 31

13th Arema 27 8 7 12 30 38 -8 31

14th Persikota 27 8 6 13 30 36 -6 30

15th Pupuk Kaltim 27 8 6 13 32 44 -12 30

16th Persik 27 6 11 10 25 35 -10 29

17th Persib 27 6 10 11 28 54 -26 28

18th Deltras 27 3 10 14 18 41 -23 19

</pre>

[binny]

The last seven games of the season began with a trip to PSPS, and I decided to give Mbeng Jean a chance in goal, relegating Kurnia Sandy back to the bench. Affan Lubis wasn’t quite match-fit either, and so Arliston was asked to play on the right wing.

We got the started that we needed as an excellent passage of play ended with Pamungkas putting us ahead after a mere four minutes. The home side, to their credit, didn’t lie down though, and they gave our defence plenty to do to protect our lead. We did it well though, with Mbeng Jean excelling on occasion. Into injury time, the goalkeeper punted a long ball forward for Pamungkas to run onto, and the striker kept his head to slide the ball under the legs of the goalkeeper, and we were two goals up.

PSPS continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession and the chances in the second half, but they tended to snatch at shots, and never really looked like getting a goal back. We had a few chances as we counterattacked, but we didn’t take any of them. It wasn’t important though; we needed the win to drag ourselves back into the title race, and that’s what we got. Two minutes from time Chávez picked up his second booking of the game, and he’ll be missing for next week.

[binny]

With Chávez suspended, Saputra came into the backline once more for the game with Persipura. Also coming into the team was Ismed Sofyan, replacing the injured Isdiantono at left back. Affan Lubis wasn’t quite fit enough either for today’s game, and Arliston continued on the wing.

The first half was a tetchy affair; chances few and far between as two of the top sides in the country weren’t prepared to give the opposition a sloppy goal. The fans were a little disappointed at the goalless scoreline at half time, and made their views known clearly as the two sides walked off for the break.

Things didn’t seem to change much early in the second half, but just as the hour mark was coming, Pamungkas used his predatory skills to grab his 15th goal of the season and give us the lead. That got Persipura to move forward a little, and although we defended well, we could do nothing about their equaliser. Four minutes later though Adnan Mahing, on as a subsitute, fired us back into the lead, and two minutes later Pamungkas wrapped up victory as we broke effectively.

[binny]

There was some upsetting news in the build-up to the trip to Persikota when Arliston picked up a hip injury that will keep him out of action for six months or so. It’s likely to mean the end of his career. Fortunately, Affan Lubis was able to come back in on the right wing, and we were also able to welcome back Chávez and Isdiantono into the back line after suspension and injury respectively.

The home side don’t have too much more to play for this season, but they still made things difficult for us early on. We did get an early-enough goal just after 15 minutes as a well-worked training move paid off dividends yet again, a short corner to Hamka Hamzah resulting in the defender firing us into the lead.

The home side didn’t trouble us too much at the back, and even when they did, we were equal to it. We needed a second to give us that cushion, but had to wait until the 74th minutes when Affan Lubis saw a free kick deflect in off the wall; the deflection completely wrong-footing the unlucky goalkeeper. With Persebaya dropping points in both of their last two games, we now find ourselves three points ahead in the race for the title, with only four games left. But, one of those games is at home to Persebaya, and the result of that game is almost certainly going to determine the destination of the championship.

[binny]

SUMMARY – August 2007

PSPS 0

Persija 2 (Bambang Pamungkas 4, 45, Matías Alejandro Chávez s/o 88)

Attendance: 25441

Persija 3 (Bambang Pamungkas 59, 80, Adnan Mahing 78)

Persipura 1 (Rifa Patika 74)

Attendance: 16233

Persikota 0

Persija 2 (Hamka Hamzah 17, Affan Lubis 74)

Attendance: 18004

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st Persija 30 18 8 4 52 23 +29 62

2nd Persebaya 30 17 8 5 53 26 +27 59

3rd PSM 30 14 12 4 44 23 +21 54

4th Persipura 30 14 9 7 37 24 +13 51

5th Persita 30 12 8 10 50 40 +10 44

6th PSMS 30 12 7 11 39 35 +4 43

7th PSPS 30 10 11 9 31 25 +6 41

8th PSIS 30 10 9 11 36 40 -4 39

9th Persijatim 30 9 11 10 28 30 -2 38

10th Petrokimia Putra 30 10 8 12 37 40 -3 38

11th Semen Padang 30 10 7 13 40 42 -2 37

12th PSS 30 10 7 13 26 32 -6 37

13th Persikota 30 10 6 14 33 38 -5 36

14th Persik 30 8 12 10 29 37 -8 36

15th Persib 30 7 12 11 31 55 -24 33

16th Arema 30 8 8 14 32 42 -10 32

17th Pupuk Kaltim 30 8 6 16 34 52 -18 30

18th R Deltras 30 3 11 16 18 46 -28 20

</pre>

[binny]

Before the big show-down, we had a trip to mid-table Petrokimia Putra to negotiate, and we were unchanged for the game.

The home side didn’t have much to play for, but they knew that we still had something to go for, and they made things difficult for us. But, two free kicks from Affan Lubis, the second with a heavy deflection, had us two goals up after twenty minutes, and we were looking comfortable. Petrokimia Putra showed a lot of hear tin the midfield, but it was often a little over-the-top, and just about the entire first team got booked at some point during the game.

In fact, they were so indisciplined that after a tight second half, one of their substitutes picked up his second yellow card of the game, and was duly sent off. That released a little bit more space for us with a few minutes to play, and Chena added a third to wrap up an easy victory.

[binny]

Thanks to a draw last week, Persebaya ouldn’t overtake us at the top, even if they beat us in Jakarta today. And it also means that a win would wrap up the title for us, beating the reigning champions. The only change from last week sees Supatra come in at the back for Hamka Hamzah who must serve a one-match suspension.

Persebaya knew that they had to get a result, and immediately put us under pressure. They weren’t able to breach us, and with less than three minutes on the clock, Fodé Camara crashed a shot into their net, and we had the crucial first goal of the match. With the goal behind us, we had the confidence to outplay our illustrious opponents, but we didn’t create too many chances. That being said, Persebaya were restricted to off-target chances, and we were still ahead at the break.

We needed a second goal, and seven minutes into the second half Pamungkas got it, and the championship was within touching distance. Persebaya heads seemed to drop, and twenty minutes from time Chena made it 3-0, with a lovely flick at the near post. The visitors did have the last say when Ricardo Ramos scored a fantastic goal in injury time, but our fans were celebrating a second title in three years; and no one could argue that we didn’t deserve it.

[binny]

With the title wrapped up, attention in the country turned to the relegation battle, and our home tie with Persib was one of the games catching the eye. As such, I decided to stick with a largely first-choice squad, although Pamungkas was out with an injury.

The visitors started positively, as they had to be to keep their heads above the relegation waters, but we defended well, and on the half hour we were ahead through an Affan Lubis header.

We weren’t playing at our best, and seemed to enjoy the occasion where our fans could celebrate our title victory. But that led to the odd poor decision from our part, and early in the second half we conceded a penalty from which Persib equalised. We soon got back into our groove, and with thirteen minutes left we earned ourselves a penalty as well. Surani cheekily put it away, and Chena added a third two minutes later to push Persib into the relegation zone.

[binny]

The last game of the season, away at Persijatim, had nothing riding on it whatsoever, and so I felt justified in giving a number of the fringe players a run out.

To be honest, the game was so poor, it was quite embarrassing. Indeed, what struck me more was that the tackles flying in made it seem like a game that counted. Midway through the first half the home side were reduced to ten men, but we didn’t seem bothered to try and take advantage of our numerical advantage.

Things didn’t improve much in the second half, and for the second consecutive season, we ended the season with a highly boring 0-0 draw.

[binny]

SUMMARY – September 2007

Petrokimia Putra 0 (Donny Kalebos s/o 87)

Persija 3 (Affan Lubis 4, 19, Gustavo Roberto Chena 90)

Attendance: 11976

Persija 3 (Fodé Camara 3, Bambang Pamungkas 52, Gustavo Roberto Chena 69)

Persebaya 1 (Ricardo Ramos 90)

Attendance: 16219

Persija 3 (Affan Lubis 30, Surani pen 77, Gustavo Roberto Chena 79)

Persib 1 (Adrián Colombo pen 57)

Attendance: 16160

Persijatim 0 (Muhammad Darwis s/o 22)

Persija 0

Attendance: 14692

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D. Pts

1st C Persija 34 21 9 4 61 25 +36 72

2nd Persebaya 34 19 9 6 62 32 +30 66

3rd PSM 34 17 13 4 50 23 +27 64

4th Persipura 34 16 11 7 42 26 +16 59

5th Persita 34 15 8 11 57 42 +15 53

6th PSMS 34 13 8 13 42 39 +3 47

7th Persijatim 34 10 14 10 31 31 0 44

8th PSS 34 12 8 14 30 35 -5 44

9th Persikota 34 12 6 16 39 43 -4 42

10th Petrokimia Putra 34 11 9 14 44 50 -6 42

11th PSIS 34 10 12 12 40 47 -7 42

12th PSPS 34 10 11 13 35 36 -1 41

13th Semen Padang 34 11 8 15 44 49 -5 41

14th Persik 34 9 14 11 33 41 -8 41

15th Arema 34 10 9 15 38 45 -7 39

16th R Persib 34 8 14 12 34 59 -25 38

17th R Pupuk Kaltim 34 9 6 19 36 60 -24 33

18th R Deltras 34 3 11 20 20 55 -35 20

</pre>

[binny]

And so, after just a year and a half in Indonesia, I had reclaimed the Premier Division for Persija, and more importantly, it was my first trophy as a manager. The end-of-year awards were rather predictable in that I won Manager of the Year, and a fantastic haul of 11 goals from midfield earned Affan Lubis the player’s award, although Bambang Pamungkas’ 17 goals earned him the fans vote.

It was soon after the awards ceremony that I realised that I had realistically achieved everything I could in Asia. I wasn’t going to win the Asian Champions League, especially with Persija, and Korea, China and Japan would never let me into their leagues.

And so, three and a half years after arriving in Kuala Lumpur, I tendered my resignation to the somewhat surprised Persija board, and headed back to London, armed with a memorable story to tell my grandchildren.

[Roelchik]

Nice story and great achievement although you're already the second story teller I've seen quit this week.

Keep up the spirit and hope to see you at some other club.