Beating Cong An Ha Noi, PSM Makassar's Valuable Capital from Parepare

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Sulawesi Island's two-decade wait to host an international football match has paid off. PSM Makassar secured an important 1-0 victory over Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) in the first game of the ASEAN Club Championship semifinals, Wednesday (2/4/2025) night, at the Gelora BJ Habibie Stadium, Parepare, South Sulawesi.

The single goal scored by PSM's center-back and captain, Yuran Fernandes, provided an advantage for the Indonesian representative to face the second leg of the semifinal on April 30 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Fernandes netted the goal with a header in the 80th minute, capitalizing on the third corner kick opportunity for the team nicknamed "Juku Eja" during the match.

PSM coach Bernardo Tavares, who watched his team from the main stand due to a red card penalty in the last group stage match, was able to effectively anticipate the attacking style of CAHN, coached by Alexandre "Mano" Polking, a former Thailand national team coach.

The Portuguese tactician implemented a standard 4-3-3 formation. In practice on the field, this formation could transform into a 5-4-1 during defensive processes, particularly in the final 10 minutes of the second half.

Despite implementing a low block defense, the players were not against pressing with physical clashes with the Vietnamese team's players. The disciplined play of PSM's four defenders, namely Fernandes, Aloisio Neto, Victor Luiz, and Syahrul Lasinari frustrated Hanoi's players for more than 90 minutes.

The impressive defensive performance of PSM was also supported by the heroic actions of the goalkeeper, Reza Pratama, in the first half. He made three saves, including one penalty kick.

At the beginning of the second half, Reza was replaced by Hilman Syah due to an injury at the end of the first half. Hilman's task was easier as no accurate shots were produced by CAHN after the break.

For 90 minutes, PSM relied on fast-breaks or quick counterattacks. They only recorded 41 percent possession, while CAHN collected 59 percent possession.

In terms of chance creation, PSM is also more inferior to CAHN. Juku Eja only made five shots. On the other hand, CAHN created 11 shots.

Even so, PSM showed an effective attack because two of the five shots were shots aimed at CAHN's goal which was guarded by the Vietnamese national team goalkeeper, Nguyen Filip.

The two shots on target were served in each half of the match. CAHN only created three shots on target created in the first half.

PSM's superiority also ended their thirst for victory in public international events on Sulawesi Island. The last time PSM, Sulawesi's best team, played an international home game was in the 2004 Asian Champions League qualifying round.

At that time, PSM won 3-0 over another Vietnamese team, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, at the destroyed Mattoanging Stadium. PSM's goals were scored by Ponaryo Astaman (16'), Andi Oddang (86'), and Syamsul Chaeruddin (89').

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal featuring the Thai derby between Buriram United versus BG Pathum at Buriram City Stadium, the hosts won 3-1. Buriram's victory was contributed by goals from Supachai Cahided (24'), Pansa Hemviboon (58'), and Guilherme Bissoli (74'). Pathum's consolation goal was scored by striker, Ikhsan Fandi, in the 54th minute.

PSM's identity that relies on solid defense was presented since the beginning of the first half. Juku Eja players remained calm, despite receiving intense pressure from CAHN for more than 90 minutes.

CANH's attack was based on two Vietnamese national team stars, namely Le Van Do on the left side and attacking midfielder and captain, Nguyen Quang Hai. Van Do had already fired a shot in the second minute, then followed by the first shot on target in the eighth minute.

Hanoi's attack reached its climax in the first half when they were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute. The referee pointed to the spot after Quang Hai was tackled by Fernandes.

However, the penalty execution of imported striker, Alan Grafite, was saved by PSM goalkeeper, Reza, who flew to the left side of his goal. Reza's save action during the first half destroyed the confidence of CAHN's forwards.

In contrast, the home team had to wait for 33 minutes to get a shot in Hanoi's defensive zone. Victor Dethan's shot still went wide of the visitors' left goal.

CAHN goalkeeper made a crucial save when he denied PSM winger Rizky Eka in the 45+3 minute. The first golden opportunity was created through PSM's signature counter-attacking style under Tavares' control.

In addition to scoring through Yuran's header, PSM also had another golden opportunity in the 85th minute. Once again, through a counter-attack pattern that began with the individual action of substitute winger, Ricky Pratama, creating a golden opportunity for another substitute, Abdul Rahman.

However, Rahman was less calm in front of the CAHN goal. His shot went wide to the right side of the away team's goal. The situation made the majority of PSM supporters and PSM assistant coach, Ahmad Amiruddin, who was guarding the Juku Eja squad from the side of the field, hold and shake his head.