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)