Steven Danis
Football Tribe Indonesia
Persija Jakarta and PSM Makassar will meet in the 2018-19 Piala Indonesia final after maintaining a good result on the 2nd leg of the semi-final this weekend. This year’s final will have a two-legged format, like AFC Cup final, and the champion will seal an early qualification for the continental competition next season.
Persija who narrowly win 2-1 in Bekasi, flew to Samarinda to meet their ‘Orange Brother’ Borneo FC in Segiri on Saturday. Macan Kemayoran managed to win here in the league last season, but were faced with the reality that their hosts only needed one goal to close the game perfectly in Samarinda.
However, the away team took the lead first in the 33rd minute with a direct free-kick goal from Ismed Sofyan and kept their advantage until half-time. Borneo finally hit the equalizer with a goal score from ex-Persija player, Renan Silva, at the 58th minute, who came on as a substitute shortly after the break.
Borneo FC coach Mario Gomez was left frustrated as his team dominated the game but wasted their chances, only converting the single goal. The tie ultimately went the way of Persjia as Julio Banuelos finally avoided defeat on the road and led his new club to the final of the domestic cup.
Meanwhile, on Sunday night, PSM suffered their second against Madura United in a week, after the two sides met recently in the league, but the 2-2 aggregate scoreline allowed them to progress on away goals.
The hosts took the lead in the 30th minute from the penalty spot as Aleksandar Rakic beat young goalkeeper Hilmansyah. Laskar Sapeh Kerrab then scored another goal scored courtesy of Greg Nwokolo in the 58th minutes double their lead and put them in pole position to reach the cup final for the first time.
But ten minutes before the game ended, Bayu Gatra’s header managed to rattle the bar before Aaron Evans found the net to score the all-important goal which took Juku Eja to the final. The game looked to boil over when the home’ supporters looks had an incident with one of the PSM’s staff, but ultimately the visitors emerged victorious.
The final will be held in 21st and 28th July and the PSSI will determine the schedule tomorrow. There will be the new national cup champion, as it was won most recently more than seven years ago by Persibo Bojonegoro, who now on the third tier.