28 clubs set for soccer league

28 clubs set for soccer league

JAKARTA: Twenty-eight clubs from two zones will compete in the
2006 Indonesian League which kicks off on Jan. 14, the organizers
announced on Thursday.

The league -- with main sponsor Djarum providing Rp 35 billion
(US$3.5 million) -- features Persija Jakarta, Arema, PSIS, PSMS,
PSDS, Semen Padang, Sriwijaya FC, Persikota, Persita, Persitara,
Persib, Persijap Jepara, PSIM Yogyakarta and Persekabpas Pasuruan
in the western zone in Group I.

Members of the eastern zone in Group II are defending champion
Persipura Jayapura, PSM Makassar, Persik Kediri, Persiwa Wamena,
Persmin Minahasa, Persiter Ternate, Persibom Bolmong, PKT
Bontang, Persiba Balikpapan, Persigi Gianyar, Persema Kab Malang
and Persela Lamongan, Antara news service reported.

The 14th member of Group II will be determined from Jan. 4-
Jan. 9 playoffs among PSPS Pekanbaru, Deltras Sidoarjo,
Petrokimia Putra Gresik and Pelita Jaya.

Persebaya Surabaya, the 2004 champion which made an angry
withdrawal from the 2005 competition amid claims of biased
refereeing, was relegated from the league. -- JP