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)