Hooliganism hits again despite punishment<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hooliganism again found its way into the
\nIndonesian soccer league after PSIS striker Budiono Sutikno
\nkicked the match's only goal to beat PSM Ujung Pandang at the
\nJatidiri stadium in Semarang, Central Java on Saturday.<\/p>\n
PSIS supporters booed and hurtled bottles at PSM players as
\nthey walked of the pitch, Antara reported. PSM supporters
\nretaliated by throwing stones. The pitch was soon bombarded with
\nobjects and referee Eko was hit in the mouth and lost a tooth.<\/p>\n
\"Aren't we right to be angry? We came a long way, lost and
\nstill have to eat their indecent words. No way!\" Rony, the
\ncoordinator of PSM supporters, scolded.<\/p>\n
The three-and-a-half month-old Indonesian league has been
\nrocked by hooliganism many times. The most serious case happened
\non Jan. 29 when PSIM Yogyakarta and Persebaya Surabaya fans
\nstarted a riot which claimed the life of a Persebaya supporter.<\/p>\n
The All Indonesia Soccer Association punished the clubs by not
\nallowing them to play a game each and forcing them to play their
\n\"home games\" as far away as Semarang and Jakarta. They played
\nthese games after the one-month rest for the Ramadhan fasting
\nmonth and had to cover the traveling costs themselves.<\/p>\n
The recent brawl in Semarang indicates that the punishment has
\nnot been an deterrent.<\/p>\n
In other action, the Bandung-based Persib has topped the West
\nDivision standings after ending Persiraja Banda Aceh's three-
\nmonth winning streak with a 4-0 rout on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Persib is now leading with 26 points while Persiraja
\nsandwiches Jakarta's Pelita Jaya which is in second place after
\nleading throughout most of the opening months.<\/p>\n
Persiraja grabbed the top position last week after a 2-1 away
\nwin over Persija Jakarta. Persiraja has never beat Persib.<\/p>\n
Persiraja's trouncing left Persebaya Surabaya as the only team
\nwhich remains unbeaten since the league kicked-off on Nov. 27
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
On the other end of the table, PSIM Yogyakarta has not yet won
\na game, only managing a 2-2 draw against Persipura Jayapura from
\nIrian Jaya after maintaining a 2-0 lead until the 71st minute.<\/p>\n
Persebaya, with 21 points, is now ranked second in the East
\nDivision, five points shy of Assyabaab SGS, whose grip on the top
\nremains unchallenged. (arf)<\/p>\n
Results of Saturday's matches
\n PSIM 2 Persipura 2
\n PSIS 1 PSM 0
\n PS Bengkulu 0 Semen Padang 0<\/p>",
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