Steven Danis
Football Tribe Indonesia
After not playing for a month due to the FIFA matchdays and a national holiday week, PSM Makassar flew to the Go Dau stadium in Thu Dau Mot city to meet one of the Vietnamese representatives in the 2019 AFC Cup ASEAN Zone semi-final first leg, Becamex Binh Duong. Unfortunately, it was not a good trip for Juku Eja.
Pairing Guy Junior and Zulham Zamrun in front of four hard-working midfielders, including Dutch dynamic duo Wiljan Pluim and Marc Klok, PSM looked for revenge in the name of Indonesian dignity after Becamex knocked out fellow Liga 1 side Persija Jakarta, 3-1, in their latest group stage home game. Nguyen Anh Duc and his colleagues wanted to keep their home record safe by earning a win that can be important before the second leg in Indonesia.
The host presented a threat from the first 10 minutes as Anh Duc assisted Ali Rabo, but luckily the Burkinabe defender’s shot was blocked by Juku Eja’s defensive line. Anh Duc became the center of attraction after getting a free kick attempt in the 27th minute, and another assist to Brazilian winger Wander Luiz. However, neither chance was able to find the back of Rivky Mokodompit’s net. PSM, who get a chance mostly from the counter-attack, couldn’t do much and the first half ended goalless.
The first ten minutes in the second half changed everything for PSM. Zulham Zamrun gave a serious threat in the 47th minute after passing two Becamex’s defenders and blast the shoot that just went wide of Tran Duc Cuong’s net. Three minutes later, Nguyen Tran Ting got the second yellow card and sent off for a foul Rasyid Bakrie.
The only goal of the match came in the last ten minutes as Le Tan Tai sent in a perfect cross from the left side, headed perfectly by Nguyen Tien Linh. This result means that Binh Duong have a one-goal lead to take with them for the second leg.
Hanoi Secure Points In Negros’ Den
Before the Becamex vs. PSM clash, another Vietnamese clubs also shined during the first leg of ASEAN Zone semi-final. Goalless at the first half, the hosts took the lead thanks to a goal from Spaniard Bienvenido Maranon in the 57th minute. However, the lead was canceled out by an equalizer from Pape Omar Faye ten minutes later. The draw could mean a lot as Hanoi prepare to host the second leg on Tuesday, 25th July with a distinct advantage, putting them in pole position to stop the Busmen from making their third consecutive ASEAN Zone final.
Meanwhile, one day later, PSM will be looking for a miracle to win at least 2-0 or more in order to clinch their place in the zonal final.
To add on to PSM’s troubles, there remains a doubt over where the side will play their home leg. They played at the Pakansari Stadium in Bogor during the group stages, but have since moved back to their original home, Mattoanging in Makassar. However, doubts remain over whether or not their true home meets AFC standards. There have also been reports that the Gelora Dipta in Bali can be the alternative ground, as it would be easier for the fans to fly from Makassar to Bali rather than from Makassar to Jakarta, then by train to Bogor.