All teams arrive for soccer c'ship<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): All seven visiting teams have arrived for the
\nintercity amateur soccer championship finals, which kick off
\ntomorrow, while a flux of fanatic supporters are not far behind.<\/p>\n
The soccer players from Bandung, Banda Aceh, Medan, Surabaya,
\nGresik, Rembang and Ujungpandang, arrived yesterday at the
\nCentury Park Hotel near Senayan stadium, the venue for the
\nfinals, a day earlier than scheduled.<\/p>\n
While Ujungpandang is poised to defend its title and Bandung
\nand Surabaya have also emerged as the red hot favorites, upstart
\nRembang, a small town in northern Central Java, has the seemingly
\nmodest target of not being the wooden spoon during the 10-day
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
\"We will not display shameful performances, although we face
\nbetter opponents,\" said coach Muhadi. Rembang is grouped with
\n1990 champion Bandung, Aceh and Ujungpandang in Group L. Muhadi
\nsaid his squad will bank on its strength and speed to match its
\nexperienced competitors.<\/p>\n
The other new entrant, Gresik expects to reach the semifinals
\ndespite a discouraging draw in Group K with giants Surabaya, host
\nJakarta and Medan. Surabaya last won the championship in 1988,
\nwhile Medan was runner-up to Ujungpandang in the last meet in
\n1992.<\/p>\n
\"We feel relief at being the underdog,\" said coach Slamet
\nHaryono. Gresik bounced back from two home defeats to finish
\nthird behind Surabaya and Ujungpandang in the East Division
\nqualifier last February.<\/p>\n
Fielding a blend of veterans and younger players, host Jakarta
\nis set to win after 14 years absence from the pinnacle. \"We are
\nin our peak form to take the coveted title,\" said manager Todung
\nBarita Lumbanraja. Jakarta will rely on five players from the
\nnational squad.<\/p>\n
\"Advancing to the semifinals is our first goal,\" said Todung.
\n(amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/all-teams-arrive-for-soccer-cship-1447893297",
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