PSS Sleman fought back admirably from two goals down to force a 3-3 draw with RANS Nusantara FC on Friday night’s Liga 1 Indonesia Matchweek 2 action at the Pakansari Stadium in Cibinong, Bogor Regency. A late Dave Mustaine goal ensured that the Super Elja would escape this tie with a point to their name.
Both PSS and RANS Nusantara had failed to win in their Matchweek 1 outing – RANS Nusantara having played out a 1-1 draw away at PSIS Semarang, while PSS were beaten 2-1 at home by PSM Makassar. And after an exchange of attacks between the two sides, it was RANS Nusantara who broke the deadlock in the 39th minute after Septian Bagaskara lashed home an Ady Setiawan cross into M. Ridwan’s goal.
Tallyson Duarte scored his second goal in two games with an exquisite header in the 44th minute to drew things level for PSS, however Bagaskara managed to beat Ridwan once again with a shot from point-blank range at the stroke of half-time to regain the advantage for RANS Nusantara.
David Laly then added more to the Prestige Phoenix’s advantage in the 52nd minute, after he had latched onto an Edo Febriansyah pass before blasting a shot past Ridwan.
It was then that PSS head coach Seto Nurdiantoro decided to introduce both Syaiful Ramadhan and Dave in the 58th minute, adding more fresh legs after Riki Dwi Saputro had been brought on during half-time.
Syaiful and Dave’s additions enabled a reinvigorated PSS to apply the pressure on RANS Nusantara, with both Rifky Suryawan and Ze Valente testing Hilman Syah in the RANS Nusantara goal.
The Prestige Phoenix’s resistance finally broke in the 65th minute after Riki had managed to land a thumping header onto a Valente free-kick, which left Hilman utterly beaten.
Dave’s 78th minute cannonball from outside the area then restored parity for PSS, the Super Elja managing to mount an excellent comeback against all adversities to return home with a point salvaged.
Friday’s early kick-off saw PSM taking the field at the Gelora BJ Habibie in Parepare for the first time, with defending league champions Bali United acting as the first visitors to the Juku Eja‘s temporary home. An Everton Nascimento penalty and a late goal from Yakob Sayuri were enough for PSM to seal a 2-0 win over Bali United, a result that sent them top of the table for the time being.
Matchweek 2 continues on Saturday with three matches – Persib Bandung hosting Madura United at the Gelora Bandung Lautan Api, while Arema FC welcome PSIS to the Kanjuruhan Stadium. The Papandaan Derby also takes place on Saturday, with PS Barito Putera hosting Borneo Samarinda at the Demang Lehman Stadium.