Flying start for Robert Alberts

Robert Rene Alberts enjoyed a winning start to the Indonesian Super League campaign Sunday as Persija Jakarta’s double dreams suffered an early blow.

Alberts, who took charge of Arema Malang in August, led his team to a 1-0 win over Persija in its league opener at Kanjuruhan Stadium, Malang.

The victory was Arema’s first over Persija in the top flight in four years. The last time Arema won was in 2005, also by a 1-0 margin. Persija held Arema to a 2-2 draw in Malang and won 1-0 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium last season.

Midfielder Muhammad Fakhrudin scored in the 53rd minute, slotting home into an unguarded net after Roman Chmelo’s cross eluded Persija goalkeeper Muhammad Yasir and one of his defenders.

For Persija technical director Benny Dollo, who led Arema to back-to-back Copa Indonesia titles in 2005 and 2006, it was not a great homecoming after he left the club in 2007 to take the reins at Persita Tangerang.

Benny, who is also the Indonesian national team coach, sat on the bench throughout the match, even though Maman Suryaman holds the title of head coach.

Benny’s deal with the National Team Body allows him to be on the bench as technical director as long as he doesn’t give the team direct instructions in league games.

Persija players looked confused throughout the match and tried to stay tight at the back while containing Arema’s fierce attacking play. That was largely achieved thanks to a standout performance from Yasir.

Another focal point of the match was the performance of the new Singaporean imports, but they clearly needed more time to adapt to their new surroundings.

Of the four former S-League players in the match — two each for Arema and Persija — only Muhammad Ridhuan put on a promising performance.

His runs on Arema’s right flank posed problems for the Persija defense, which was marshaled by his countryman Baihakki Khaizzan.

Elsewhere on opening day, Persib Bandung made an unconvincing start as it looks to improve on last season’s third-place finish.

The West Java side fell 2-0 at Persiba Balikpapan, with Johan Yoga Utama opening the scoring on 26 minutes and former Persija midfielder Robertinho Pugliara adding the second in the 58th. -ISL.