Steven Danis
Football Tribe Indonesia
Liga 1 title holders Persjia Jakarta sacked their second coach for this season after losing 1-0 against Bali United at the Patriot Chandrabhaga stadium yesterday. The Ex-Leeds United assistant coach Julio Banuelos was sacked after taking charge of Macan Kemayoran in 18 matches since joining the club to replaced Bulgarian mastermind, Ivan Kolev.
Melvin Platje became Bali’s hero and Julio’s nightmare as his goal on the 72nd minutes, helped by an error from Persija’s captain and goalkeeper Andritany Ardhiyasa meant Serdadu Tridatu remain on top of the league with 44 points – ten ahead of PS TIRA-Persikabo, who lost 2-0 against PSM Makassar a couple hours later.
This game didn’t look like a big match with a high tempo, but despite the slow pace both sides were able to maintain their attack. Bali United started to press the home side after 11 minutes as Fadil Sausu’s shot was blocked by Andritany. Eight minutes later, Tony Sucipto gave a threat to Wawan Hendrawan’s net.
Persija treied to limit Stefano Lilipaly’s movement through Tony Sucipto and Rohit Chand who played as a defensive midfield duo. But Persija attacking wasted so many chances as Riko Simanjuntak and Feby Eka Putra faced tight defenses down the flanks. But after a goalless first half, Melvin Platje who came off the bench in the 62nd minute, only need ten minutes to seal three points for the visitors to take home from Bekasi.
After the match, Persija’s Club President, Ferry Paulus, made a quick press-conference, “Persija decided not to extend our partnership with coach Julio Banuelos and assistant Eduardo Perez. We already talk to both personally” he said, as cited from Persija’s official Instagram.
Julio Banuelos and Eduardo Perez were the two assistant for the ex-Indonesia national team manager, Luis Milla. Before joined the Garuda, Julio was on Leeds United coaching staff on 2017-2018 season. But now he become the 12th coaches to be sacked during the 2019 Liga 1 season, having only registered five wins from all 18 matches that he coached in the league and Piala Indonesia. The title holder now standing 15th position after collecting 17 points from 17 games.
On the other side, Ferry and the management must be sad because their decision to not extend the contract of Stefanu ‘Teco’ Cugurra last season has become their own nightmare. Under his stewardship, Bali United are now leading so far above the other competitors, putting him on course to collect the record as of winning two league title consecutively with two different clubs.
Week 19 Result and Schedule
Wednesday, 18th September 2019
Barito Putera 1-4 Bhayangkara FC
Borneo FC 2-1 Madura United
Persib Bandung 1-1 Semen Padang
Thursday, 19th September 2019
Persija Jakarta 0-1 Bali United
PSS Sleman 1-1 Persipura Jayapura
Perseru Badak Lampung 2-1 Kalteng Putra
PSM Makassar 2-0 PS TIRA-Persikabo
Friday, 20th September 2019
PSIS Semarang vs Persebaya Surabaya 15:30 GMT+7
Persela Lamongan vs Arema FC 18:00 GMT+7