Ezra Scores in Debut but Fails to Present Victory for PSM

Steven Danis

Football Tribe Indonesia

The Gelora Delta Stadium became a silent witness to Ezra Walian’s debut in Indonesian football and whilst the Dutch-born striker went off the mark immediately with a debut goal, PSM were condemned to a second-straight defeat as “hosts” Persipura Jayapura ran out 3-1 winners in yesterday’s match.

Playing at their temporary home in Sidoarjo, Persipura Jayapura took the lead in the 15^th minute as Gunansar Mandowen got a rebound from Andre Ribeiro’s header which went off the bar and into Hilman Syah’s net. Juku Eja themselves are in a goalkeeper crisis as their two other goalkeepers, main goalie Rivky Mokodompit and Hery Prasetyo, were both injured on PSM’s last away match against Semen Padang.

Mutiara Hitam lead 1-0 until half-time, and in the second half both teams still wanted to play in a fast tempo as the hosts replaced Gunansar Mandowen and Todd Ferre for two experienced players in the form of Titus Bonai and Ian Louis Kabes, while PSM subbed in M. Rahmat and Ezra Walian for Zulham Zamrun and Rizky Eka.

Ezra who came from the bench in the last 15 minutes of the match finally scored PSM’s equalizer in the 83^rd minute as he succeeded in converting an assist from M. Rahmat from a corner. But only one minute after Ezra’s equalizer, Titus Bonai displayed his ability as he took Persipura back into the lead. Titus, who played for PSM back in 2017, completed his brace right before the game ended from the penalty spot after Rizky Pellu handled the ball in the box.

Positive Showings from Semen Padang and Borneo FC

Meanwhile, in Bogor, bottom side Semen Padang became a nightmare for TIRA-Persikabo who were unbeaten in their first 13 matches this season as Semen Padang’s new striker Vanderlei Fransisco got his 2^nd goal in this season’s Liga 1, earning Kabau Sirah the lead after 24 minutes.

But luckily Laskar Padjajaran got themselves an equalizer from Nigerian-born naturalized striker Osas Saha who blasted the ball inside the box towards Teja Paku Alam’s net. The 1-1 draw meant that Semen Padang moved off bottom and into 17^th place, being unbeaten in their last 3 matches.

Finally, Lerby Eliandry’s goal in Samarinda brought the first day in Week 21 to a close as Borneo FC narrowly won 1-0 against defending champions Persija Jakarta. Pesut Etam must wait until the 66^th minute before Lerby scored his 7^th goal this season.