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3.4 @ Perssin(4th) We had a 2-2 draw earlier at home, a game which was played while they were still in good form as the 'refuse to lose' crew. In that one though I felt we were fortunate not to lose it. They've been very drawish lately, slipping down the table a bit as a result(though still much better than predicted) as they've won only two of their last dozen contests. They have a couple of key injuries and as we are basically healthy and in better form, we're favored 4-5 here.
8' -- It's a pretty even battle early, and they're called for offsides on a through ball to Siegers, was an almost certain goal for one of the best players in the league if that call wasn't made. Still, I'm not happy with how we're defending and go a bit more conservative earlier than usual.
11' -- Sutanto gets an angled look and tries to go upstairs on the short side, deflected out but that was a fine effort. Corner goes to Prasetyo at the near post, where he's completely blocked off by at least three defenders.
It's a quality-of-possession deal so far, we're at least as good as they are when we have the ball, but they have it more.
21' -- We work it around, they block us off, and a long shot by Herlan goes wide. Very few chances either way so far.
24' -- Persibom takes a 1-0 lead on Persipon, dropping us back to 2nd place at least for the moment.
25' -- Corner for them and it goes to the far post, Irdan gets a head to it but he's drifting away as he does. Ferminus dives, but it's off the post, Saragih clears it ... off Ferminus and in!! An own goal charged to Ferminus though it was Saragih's fault, and that's not exactly what I had in mind. 0-1
31' -- Persipon ties it up 1-1 with Persibom, putting us back in first by differential. It's going to be a yo-yo the next couple of matches I think.
33' -- Sharp angled shot for Yogi but Bahar is in perfect position and it's blocked. Near post for Prasetyo on the corner, he outjumps two for the header but it's off the post! We needed that, worked on set pieces all week to get in position and miss ...
36' -- Syam misses a long shot, while Persisko has shockingly fallen behind at home to Persenga 1-0. If that holds up, we'll clinch even if we lose. Saragih sets up Yogi with a header, he had two defenders all over him though and it's wide.
40' -- Competing a little better now as we close in on the half. They cross it over and Yusalamony has a header and then a short shot on the rebound both blocked by Muda. If the header was closer to the post that was money, we got more than a little lucky there.
Just before the break, Persipon goes up 2-1 on Persibom. None of the top teams doing well today.
HT -- Even game but they've converted better, probably had a bit better quality chances overall too though it's been close. We're going to need to up our game.
47' -- A couple exchanges of possession and then they trip Saputra, freekick for us left of the area. Prasetyo's header is weak and cleared off the line, but he was far enough out that was a tough ask. Corner goes to him again at the near post and this time his soft header is just good enough to make it in!! Maybe that work did pay off, we tie it up at 1-all.
Pretty even battle for possession for a while, then they assert themselves again just past the hour mark.
64' -- Big play here as Siegers goes down in the area but is called for a dive and hit with a yellow. Persipon now up 3-1 on Persibom
69' -- Saragih to Yogi, that one drew him out wide and once again Bahar leaves no angle to shoot from. Corner is out for a repeat, then that is cleared. Time for fresh legs, Bayhaqi and Adie come on, Ewangin and Yarangga sit. Persibom pulls one back to make it 3-2, they're still in it.
We've started to get the upper hand a bit here, and I'm feeling good about our chances to at least hold the draw.
75' -- Adie to Saputra, chips one through traffic somehow just inside, but misses left by maybe a foot.
79' -- Freekick for Adie, quality save by Bahar who has done well the last bit here to keep us from scoring on a few different occasions.
82' -- Hendambo from a sharp angle is well off, that's their first shot of any kind since half.
85' -- Persenga(2-0 over Persisko) and Persipon(4-2 over Persibom) add insurance goals. By my count we are minutes away from qualifying ...
FT -- Good rally in the second half, we defended very well just couldn't get the winning score. Still, a road draw against a quality side. We outshot them 13-6 and didn't allow a shot on target for the second straight game.
It is indeed official, we have qualified for Second Phase and need just a draw at home in the finale to clinch first in Group D! What a year and achievement for this bunch!!
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