Bhinneka fans put pressure on players

Bhinneka fans put pressure on players

SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Sports teams expect support from
their home fans, but sometimes this support can result in
disaster.

Just such a seeming contradiction occurred in the fifth series
of the 1999 A Mild Kobatama national basketball league here last
weekend, when host Bhinneka Sritex fell to Surabaya-based Pacific
Bank Swadesi 80-89.

The result was quite a shock considering Bhinneka finished
fifth in the league last year, while Pacific struggled to an
seventh place finish. And the trend continued this year, with
Bhinneka winning 10 of their first 13 games, while Pacific has
again failed to find its form, winning just four of its games.

Based on these numbers, Bhinneka would have been expected to
romp to an easy win in front of their home crowd. Unfortunately,
the pressure of the local fans' expectations resulted in a tense
Bhinneka team that failed to play its best basketball in its loss
to Pacific.

Bhinneka coach Hartono told The Jakarta Post that in certain
circumstances, the support of local fans could boomerang on a
team.

"I think our players were nervous because Pacific led from the
opening whistle. At the end of the first half we were trailing
34-36. The fans' hope to witness a victory became a tremendous
pressure for the players, causing them to be error-prone," he
said.

However, the support of a raucous home crowd does not always
result in such disastrous consequences.

Bhinneka managed to beat Panasia Indosyntec two days later
thanks to their fanatical fans, who put the pressure on the
visitors.

Panasia forward Saut Lambok Johnson nearly lost his temper
when hundreds of Bhinneka fans began to shout "burn the bus, burn
the bus".

The situation worked to the advantage of Bhinneka, which was
able to control the game and secure a victory.

Panasia coach Dedy Kuskanto could not hide his shock at the
behavior of the Bhinneka supporters, saying his team could have
won if the crowd did not "terrorize" his players.

Fanatical supporters in all sports have been known to cause
trouble, particularly during soccer games.

They have damaged public facilities, including stadium seats,
public phones and lampposts, and have even gone so far as to burn
cars belonging to rival fans.

Officials and community figures have called for an end to such
violence, suggesting sports clubs set up fans club. These fans
club could arrange fan activities during games and arrange
transportation and accommodation for fans who follow their teams
to away games. Such fan clubs also could involve fans in outside
activities such as coaching clinics and social activities. It is
hoped this would cool the tempers of the country's sports
fanatics. (44)