Persebaya United Beats Sriwijaya FC 1-0 in President Cup

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - Persebaya United of East Java soccer team defeated Sriwijaya FC of South Sumatra 1-0 in the first leg of quarterfinals of the President Cup soccer tournament here on Sunday afternoon.

The single goal was scored by Persebaya's player Slamet Nur Cahyo in the 84th minute.

"Thank God, although it (goal) was only scored towards the end of the match," the Persebaya United coach Ibnu Grahan said after match.

Slamet Nur Cahyo who replaced Siswanto in the 72nd minute successfully broke the deadlock with a shot by his left leg to the left corner of the goal of Sriwijaya FC which was guarded by Dian Agus.

In the game which was watched by 5,000 supporters, the score of goalless draw last until halftime.

Despite appearing in pressure, the Sriwijaya FC commanded by Titus Bonay obtained golden opportunities several times including in 54th minute.

In the meantime, assistant of the Sriwijaya FC coach Hartono Ruslan expressed optimism that his team will advance to the top four round of the President Cup and will net more than two goals in the second-round match at the Jaka Baring Stadium Palembang on September 27.

Eight of 16 teams in the President Cup which play in the quarter-finals comprise Mitra Kukar of East Kalimantan, PSM Makassar of South Sulawesi, Arema Malang of East Java, and Bali United of Bali province, apart from Persebaya United of East Java, Sriwijaya FC of South Sumatra, Pusamania Borneo of East Kalimantan, and Persib Bandung of West Java.

The other eight teams that failed in the preliminary rounds are Persija Jakarta, Persita Tangerang, Persiba Balikpapan, and Martapura FC, in addition to Persela, PSGC Ciamis, PBR, and Persegres.(*)