Persija makes good start in Ligina playoffs<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Persija made a fine start to open its campaign
\nat the fifth Indonesian soccer league (Ligina) playoffs on
\nTuesday by defeating Pelita Bakrie 1-0 in a Group II round-robin
\nmatch at the Senayan main stadium.<\/p>\n
The match proceeded peacefully despite the worry of
\nhooliganism.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso was among the 10,000 fans. Chairman of the
\nAll Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) Agum Gumelar and former
\nchairman Azwar Anas were also present.<\/p>\n
Police and military officers checked tickets at stadium
\nentrances and soldiers were deployed among the spectators in each
\nsection of the stands.<\/p>\n
The first match of Group I between Semen Padang and Persikota
\nTangerang ended in a scoreless draw.<\/p>\n
Persikota's coach Sultan Harhara and Semen Padang's coach
\nYenniwardin praised their teams for performing well despite their
\nrelative youth.<\/p>\n
Persija midfielder Luciano Leandro converted a penalty in the
\n79th minute which made it past Pelita goalie Kurnia Sandy's
\ndiving effort.<\/p>\n
Referee Purwanto gave the penalty kick to Persija after
\ndefender Gusnaedi Adang brought down Pelita striker Rocky
\nPutiray.<\/p>\n
\"I prayed to God to make this goal. And God did it for me,\"
\nthe Brazilian said after the match.<\/p>\n
Pelita immediately tried to make up the deficit. In the 83rd
\nminute, Kurniawan made a left-footed kick from 20 meters outside
\nthe penalty area, but goalkeeper Jean Mbeng caught the ball.<\/p>\n
With two minutes left, Kurniawan volleyed the ball after
\nreceiving a header from Indrianto, but Mbeng was again fast on
\nhis feet.<\/p>\n
Pelita's captain Ansyari Lubis also made an attempt, but his
\nshot was too high.<\/p>\n
Coach Danurwindo blamed poor strategy for the defeat.<\/p>\n
\"In the first half, both teams had the same strategy. But in
\nthe second half, our players played defensively which led to the
\npenalty kick.\"<\/p>\n
Danurwindo said his team would evaluate its form to prepare a
\nbetter strategy for its game against PSM Ujungpandang on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
\"There are still three matches. There's no other way for
\nPelita except to play its very best,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Purwanto gave three yellow cards to Persija Olinga Atangana
\nand Pelita's Gusnaedi Adang and I Made Pasek Wijaya.<\/p>\n
Wednesday will feature Pupuk Kaltim versus PSMS Medan followed
\nby Petrokimia Gresik against Persebaya.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Persikota will face PSIS Semarang and Pelita
\nBakrie will meet PSM Ujungpandang.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Tuesday, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho
\nDjajoesman said police deployed thousands of security personnel
\nto secure the playoffs against unrest.<\/p>\n
He urged hooligans to refrain from disrupting the playoffs,
\nwarning officers would not hesitate to arrest them and send them
\nback to their hometowns.<\/p>\n
At least 3,000 security personnel and an equal number of
\ncivilian militia members, better known as kamra, will be deployed
\ninside the main stadium and its vicinity.<\/p>\n
Noegroho responded curtly when asked if the police were forced
\nto approve holding the event in the capital despite the
\nwidespread fear of unrest.<\/p>\n
\"Who says it was forced? It's here now, let's keep it safe and
\nnot disturb the public,\" he said, noting soccer was one of the
\ncountry's favorite sports.<\/p>\n
Police have asked the organizers to move the venue to Cimahi,
\nabout 180 southeast kilometers of here, if riots occur. (emf\/ivy)<\/p>",
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