PSSI to introduce quarterfinals to Ligina<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has
\napproved the staging of quarterfinals matches for the first time
\nin the history of the Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).<\/p>\n
However, PSSI official in charge of competition and
\ntournaments, Ismet Djalis Tahir, told a media briefing after the
\nmanagers' meeting on Wednesday that the association had yet to
\nset a date for the quarterfinals.<\/p>\n
PSSI originally arranged the semifinals after the West and
\nEast division qualifying matches. The semifinals see winners and
\nrunners-up from both divisions competing for the final berth.<\/p>\n
With this new form of competition, the four best clubs from
\nboth divisions will compete in the quarterfinals. The sixth
\nLigina will kick off at Jatidiri stadium in Semarang on Nov. 7.<\/p>\n
\"The league will end in mid June, 2000, probably on the 14th.
\nWe have not decided on the new schedule, but we will arrange it
\nso it will not coincide with the National Games (PON),\" Ismet
\nsaid. PON will run from June 19 to June 30 in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Ismet said that any of the 28 clubs, which have more than two
\nnational players in their line-up, would be allowed to ask for a
\nmatch delay if their players were playing for the national team
\nat the same time as the Ligina schedule which includes Asia Cup
\nmatches.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the dispute on player transfer's between clubs,
\nIsmet said PSSI had urged clubs to compromise in order to settle
\nany disputes prior to the Ligina.<\/p>\n
\"The conflict is largely between players and their original
\nclubs,\" he said, adding that players always consider moving to
\nanother club when their contracts are over.<\/p>\n
\"They don't think of extending their contracts with the club.
\nIt's a matter of different interpretation on the contract,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"PSSI has asked the conflicting clubs to solve their problems
\nimmediately because the competition must go on,\" Ismet added.<\/p>\n
The conflicting clubs are Persebaya, PSM Makassar and Persija
\nJakarta. Persebaya officials complained that their players, who
\nhave ended their deals for this season, still had an option to
\nextend their contracts to defend the 1999 Ligina runner-up,
\ndespite moving to other clubs.<\/p>\n
After the meeting, Persebaya's and PSM's officials were still
\ndiscussing the players transfers. Persebaya's goalie Hendro
\nKartiko and defender Aji Santoso have signed a deal with PSM
\nwhile defender Anang Ma'ruf has moved to Persija.<\/p>\n
Ismet also said PSSI had revised two schedules that took place
\non the first day of the Ligina. In the West division, the match
\nbetween PSMS Medan and Medan Jaya was canceled until Nov. 8 to
\nattract more spectators.<\/p>\n
Another match, in the East division in Gresik, East Java, will
\nbe moved as Petrokimia Gresik's homeground was undergoing
\nrestoration.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, PSIS chairman Soetjipto said PSSI chairman Agum
\nGumelar was scheduled to officially start the Ligina. Agum will
\nwitness the first match featuring defending champions PSIS and
\nBarito Putra.<\/p>\n
\"Semarang must show soccer fans across the nation that Central
\nJava, particularly the capital Semarang, can groom and train
\nplayers for the national team and stage the opening of the Ligina
\nwith discipline and order,\" he said. (har\/ivy)<\/p>",
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