Persija Entering The Final, Anies Baswedan: Alhamdulillah, We Are Proud

Anies Instagram photo during the Indonesian League December 2018

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan said he was proud of the Persija Jakarta club qualifying for the 2021 Menpora Cup final after defeating PSM Makassar in the semi-final second leg at Manahan Stadium, Solo, on penalties with a final score of 4-3 after normal time the position was the same. strong 0-0.

"Alhamdulillah, we are proud. Hopefully it will continue. It is one stage, God willing, the next stage," said Anies at the DPRD DKI Building, Central Jakarta, Monday, April 19.

The former Minister of Education and Culture asked the Persija team players to maintain their enthusiasm to return to compete in order to win.

"Keep the spirit of the players, the enthusiasm of the supporters too. God willing, win," he said.

Previously, the Persija Jakarta team advanced to the final. The match between the Kemayoran Tigers against the Makassar PSM was tight from the start. Moreover, the two teams both want to win after the first leg of the semifinals at Maguwoharjo Stadium, Sleman, Thursday, April 15, they only drew 0-0.

Persija, who is managed by the former national defender, Sudirman, immediately took the initiative to attack both through right winger Riko Simanjuntak and his striker, Marko Simic.

In fact, Persija in 15 minutes of the first half had the chance to control the game over PSM. However, the tight defense of PSM was still difficult for Marko Simic and his friends to penetrate.

Persija got an opportunity in the 24th minute through a foot shot from Alfath Faatier, but the ball that was heading for the goal was caught by PSM goalkeeper Hilman Syah, who played calmly, so he had not changed the position to remain 0-0.

The team nicknamed Juku Eja got the only chance in the 18th minute through a hard kick from Yacub Sayuri's leg, but the ball was thin over the Persija Jakarta goal, so that the position was 0-0 until the first half was over.

Entering the second half, Persija still took the initiative to attack. In fact, Andritany and his friends who controlled the game in the second half were not able to penetrate the PSM defense which was disciplined in guarding their territory.

PSM got the only chance in the second half on 88 minutes through a hard shot from Yakob Sayuri's leg, but the goalkeeper Andritany was able to push it, resulting in only a corner kick for PSM.

The 0-0 draw position lasted until the referee who led the match between Persija and PSM, namely Apprisman Aranda from West Sumatra, blew a long whistle, a sign that the second half ended with a penalty shootout continued.

In the penalty shootout, Persija managed to produce 4 goals from 8 players who executed him, namely Rohit Cand, Yann Motta, Anthoni Klak, and Toni Sucipto. Meanwhile, Persija players who failed penalty kicks, namely Marko Simic, Novri Setiawan, Sandi Darma Sute, Riko Sim Continak.

In the final match, Persija Jakarta is waiting for the winner between PSS Sleman and Persib Bandung. The Maung Bandung team temporarily benefited after winning 2-1 in the first leg of the semifinals.