PSIS Coach Highlights Fariq Hitaba's Leadership In Match Against Persib: If The Referee Wasn't Bad, He Should Have Won

PSIS coach, Dragan Djukanovic while escorting the team at the I Wayan Dipta stadium bench, Bali (Instagram.com/@psisofficial)

JAKARTA - PSIS Semarang completed the match week 25 of Liga 1 2021/2022 against Persib Bandung on Tuesday with a goalless draw. After the match, PSIS coach Dragan Djukanovic highlighted the leadership of referee Fariq Hitaba.

"In my opinion if the referee in charge of the match wasn't as bad as tonight, maybe we could have won this game," Dragan said in a press conference after the match, quoted from the club's official website.

One of the referee's decisions that was highlighted by Dragan was when Persib goalkeeper Teja Paku Alam was only given a yellow card. In fact, according to Dragan, Teja should have received a red card for tripping a player who was trying to score a goal.

"In the first half the referee should have given the goalkeeper a red card (Teja Paku Alam) because it was clear it should have been a red card," he said.

Dragan also admitted that PSIS should be able to get a penalty because Jonathan was violated by Persib players. However, the referee's decision said otherwise.

"So I think there should have been a penalty for us when the foul occurred. If that (penalty) exists, we can get more than one point," he hoped.

On the other hand, Dragan welcomed the presence of six of his players who had just joined the team after being tested negative for COVID-19. The coach appreciated the players who were willing to work hard, also praised the young player, Alfeandra Dewangga, who played well despite playing in a different position than usual.

"Dewangga played very well, I am satisfied with his performance, although I was confused because he was not in his position, but he can play better," said Dragan.

"He is very good at holding off Persib's attacks, I am satisfied with Dewangga's game," said the coach.