Central Java team regains Haornas/Coke Cup trophy
Central Java team regains Haornas/Coke Cup trophy
SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): The Central Javanese boys
delighted their home crowd with a 3-0 thrashing of Jambi to win
their fourth Haornas/Coke Cup under-16 soccer championship title
yesterday.
For surprise finalist Jambi, it was an anti-climatic
performance after conquering the defending champion and pre-
tournament favorite Jakarta in Thursday's semifinals.
The determined home side, winners in 1988, 1992 and 1993,
finished the first 35 minutes empty handed after missing four
goal scoring chances.
Then Central Java captain Supriyono broke the duck in the 41st
minute from a penalty awarded by referee Mansyur Lestaluhu after
Jambi's defender Imson Bahari brought down Bambang Pamungkas
inside the box.
After a number of futile up-front arrays, man of the match
Bambang fed a brilliant cross to an unmarked Muhammad Ridwan who
shot a first-timer to the goal left empty by keeper Rones Efendi
in the 55th minute.
Bambang again displayed his exceptional talents when he
latched home a right-footer following a scrimmage around Jambi's
box three minutes from time. Rones dived in for a tip-over, but
his sweeper Asmiadi blundered with a suicide clearance.
"It's difficult to overcome nerves when we play under the full
eyes of our opposing crowd," Jambi coach A. Nizar said afterward.
"Besides, Central Java is obviously a better class than us,"
Nizar added.
Central Java coach Budi Winarko attributed his team's victory
to their strong self-confidence.
The winning team received the top prize worth Rp 2 million
(US$858) in scholarships and admittance to the National Sports
Day celebration at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Sept. 9.
Runner-up Jambi had to be content with Rp 1.5 million in tuition.
Bambang, who failed to beat the leading seven-goal mark scored
by Sofyan of Jakarta, won the best player title and was awarded
Rp 250,000.
A talent scouting team from the All-Indonesia Football
Association will hold a meeting today to pick players who deserve
places in the overseas stint in Italy next year. (har/amd)