Bhinneka fans put pressure on players<\/p>\n
SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Sports teams expect support from
\ntheir home fans, but sometimes this support can result in
\ndisaster.<\/p>\n
Just such a seeming contradiction occurred in the fifth series
\nof the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league here last
\nweekend, when host Bhinneka Sritex fell to Surabaya-based Pacific
\nBank Swadesi 80-89.<\/p>\n
The result was quite a shock considering Bhinneka finished
\nfifth in the league last year, while Pacific struggled to an
\nseventh place finish. And the trend continued this year, with
\nBhinneka winning 10 of their first 13 games, while Pacific has
\nagain failed to find its form, winning just four of its games.<\/p>\n
Based on these numbers, Bhinneka would have been expected to
\nromp to an easy win in front of their home crowd. Unfortunately,
\nthe pressure of the local fans' expectations resulted in a tense
\nBhinneka team that failed to play its best basketball in its loss
\nto Pacific.<\/p>\n
Bhinneka coach Hartono told The Jakarta Post that in certain
\ncircumstances, the support of local fans could boomerang on a
\nteam.<\/p>\n
"I think our players were nervous because Pacific led from the
\nopening whistle. At the end of the first half we were trailing
\n34-36. The fans' hope to witness a victory became a tremendous
\npressure for the players, causing them to be error-prone," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
However, the support of a raucous home crowd does not always
\nresult in such disastrous consequences.<\/p>\n
Bhinneka managed to beat Panasia Indosyntec two days later
\nthanks to their fanatical fans, who put the pressure on the
\nvisitors.<\/p>\n
Panasia forward Saut Lambok Johnson nearly lost his temper
\nwhen hundreds of Bhinneka fans began to shout "burn the bus, burn
\nthe bus".<\/p>\n
The situation worked to the advantage of Bhinneka, which was
\nable to control the game and secure a victory.<\/p>\n
Panasia coach Dedy Kuskanto could not hide his shock at the
\nbehavior of the Bhinneka supporters, saying his team could have
\nwon if the crowd did not "terrorize" his players.<\/p>\n
Fanatical supporters in all sports have been known to cause
\ntrouble, particularly during soccer games.<\/p>\n
They have damaged public facilities, including stadium seats,
\npublic phones and lampposts, and have even gone so far as to burn
\ncars belonging to rival fans.<\/p>\n
Officials and community figures have called for an end to such
\nviolence, suggesting sports clubs set up fans club. These fans
\nclub could arrange fan activities during games and arrange
\ntransportation and accommodation for fans who follow their teams
\nto away games. Such fan clubs also could involve fans in outside
\nactivities such as coaching clinics and social activities. It is
\nhoped this would cool the tempers of the country's sports
\nfanatics. (44)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bhinneka-fans-put-pressure-on-players-1447893297",
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