All teams arrive for soccer c'ship

All teams arrive for soccer c'ship

JAKARTA (JP): All seven visiting teams have arrived for the
intercity amateur soccer championship finals, which kick off
tomorrow, while a flux of fanatic supporters are not far behind.

The soccer players from Bandung, Banda Aceh, Medan, Surabaya,
Gresik, Rembang and Ujungpandang, arrived yesterday at the
Century Park Hotel near Senayan stadium, the venue for the
finals, a day earlier than scheduled.

While Ujungpandang is poised to defend its title and Bandung
and Surabaya have also emerged as the red hot favorites, upstart
Rembang, a small town in northern Central Java, has the seemingly
modest target of not being the wooden spoon during the 10-day
competition.

"We will not display shameful performances, although we face
better opponents," said coach Muhadi. Rembang is grouped with
1990 champion Bandung, Aceh and Ujungpandang in Group L. Muhadi
said his squad will bank on its strength and speed to match its
experienced competitors.

The other new entrant, Gresik expects to reach the semifinals
despite a discouraging draw in Group K with giants Surabaya, host
Jakarta and Medan. Surabaya last won the championship in 1988,
while Medan was runner-up to Ujungpandang in the last meet in
1992.

"We feel relief at being the underdog," said coach Slamet
Haryono. Gresik bounced back from two home defeats to finish
third behind Surabaya and Ujungpandang in the East Division
qualifier last February.

Fielding a blend of veterans and younger players, host Jakarta
is set to win after 14 years absence from the pinnacle. "We are
in our peak form to take the coveted title," said manager Todung
Barita Lumbanraja. Jakarta will rely on five players from the
national squad.

"Advancing to the semifinals is our first goal," said Todung.
(amd)