2 Mar 2013
Second Phase
The top two teams of every group in the first phase qualify for second phase group play. 8 teams are drawn into two groups of 4, and the top team of every group qualifies for the finals.
In our first match against fellow group D qualifiers we played at home against Muaro Jambi. We've met them twice already this season, winning 3-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away.
I pushed the team for a win, but it was not to be. Our star holding midfielder for this year who had joined us on loan, Faisol Abdillah, was out to injury for 7 weeks or more. This season we played a 4-2-3-1, with 2 MCs, 3 AMCs and a poacher up front, so we really needed a good defensive mid to anchor the play, but unfortunately we had no suitable replacement.
Abdillah's loss really showed as our possession in the midfield was tenuous and unsure. Without a suitable base to build on, we only came away with a 0-0 draw.
In our second match we played away to Persipro, a team we've only met once before when we defeated them 2-0 in a friendly. We were off to a flyer as Abdul Fikri Sairan scored a stunning header off a corner, and our confidence showed as we had several attempts on goal. In the 52nd minute Sairan made a great run into space and blasted the ball from the corner of the penalty area, a long range thunderous kick. The ball passed the keeper on his outside and stunningly flew into the corner of the net. I've got to say I lost it when the assistant referee flagged it offside, and it was such a shame as it was a magnificent goal. Despite many chances like that, we somehow only came away from the match 1-0.
This gave u 4 points and a +1 goal difference, putting us on par with PSBL, who we were to meet in our next match. They were unfortunately ahead by goals scored, so a draw would not cut it for us today. I had to win. This pressure I think was too much to handle for the players, who were expecting to be winding down the season with friendly matches at this point, and our striker Faisal Muttaqin got sent off in the 10th minute for a poorly timed tackle. This put us under even more stress, and PSBL mounted several strong attacks against us, with Nugrahanto being tested at every chance. Finally they scored from a narrow angle, and unfortunately we couldn't make a come back, giving us a 3rd placing in our group as Muaro Jambi won their third fixture and overtook us in points.
I've got to say that I'm pretty disappointed as the first two fixtures should have both been confident wins for us, which would have put us in great stead for our last match against the toughest opposition, PSBL. We definitely had a chance at taking the trophy, but I suppose I can't let it get me down as it was a fantastic season overall, our first phase performance saw us with a 14-6-2 from 22 games and giving us an 11 point lead over fellow qualifiers Muaro Jambi.
Well next season the Premier Division beckons, and it's going to be tough but an interesting fight. I haven't thought much about my future yet, but chances are I'll be happy to stick around at Kendari for another season. For now though, I think I'll celebrate.
Second Phase
The top two teams of every group in the first phase qualify for second phase group play. 8 teams are drawn into two groups of 4, and the top team of every group qualifies for the finals.
In our first match against fellow group D qualifiers we played at home against Muaro Jambi. We've met them twice already this season, winning 3-1 at home and drawing 1-1 away.
I pushed the team for a win, but it was not to be. Our star holding midfielder for this year who had joined us on loan, Faisol Abdillah, was out to injury for 7 weeks or more. This season we played a 4-2-3-1, with 2 MCs, 3 AMCs and a poacher up front, so we really needed a good defensive mid to anchor the play, but unfortunately we had no suitable replacement.
Abdillah's loss really showed as our possession in the midfield was tenuous and unsure. Without a suitable base to build on, we only came away with a 0-0 draw.
In our second match we played away to Persipro, a team we've only met once before when we defeated them 2-0 in a friendly. We were off to a flyer as Abdul Fikri Sairan scored a stunning header off a corner, and our confidence showed as we had several attempts on goal. In the 52nd minute Sairan made a great run into space and blasted the ball from the corner of the penalty area, a long range thunderous kick. The ball passed the keeper on his outside and stunningly flew into the corner of the net. I've got to say I lost it when the assistant referee flagged it offside, and it was such a shame as it was a magnificent goal. Despite many chances like that, we somehow only came away from the match 1-0.
This gave u 4 points and a +1 goal difference, putting us on par with PSBL, who we were to meet in our next match. They were unfortunately ahead by goals scored, so a draw would not cut it for us today. I had to win. This pressure I think was too much to handle for the players, who were expecting to be winding down the season with friendly matches at this point, and our striker Faisal Muttaqin got sent off in the 10th minute for a poorly timed tackle. This put us under even more stress, and PSBL mounted several strong attacks against us, with Nugrahanto being tested at every chance. Finally they scored from a narrow angle, and unfortunately we couldn't make a come back, giving us a 3rd placing in our group as Muaro Jambi won their third fixture and overtook us in points.
I've got to say that I'm pretty disappointed as the first two fixtures should have both been confident wins for us, which would have put us in great stead for our last match against the toughest opposition, PSBL. We definitely had a chance at taking the trophy, but I suppose I can't let it get me down as it was a fantastic season overall, our first phase performance saw us with a 14-6-2 from 22 games and giving us an 11 point lead over fellow qualifiers Muaro Jambi.
Well next season the Premier Division beckons, and it's going to be tough but an interesting fight. I haven't thought much about my future yet, but chances are I'll be happy to stick around at Kendari for another season. For now though, I think I'll celebrate.
