Disappointed fans rampage in Senayan

JAKARTA (JP): Hooligans left a trail of destruction yesterday after the SEA Games men's soccer final at the Senayan Stadium, Central Jakarta.

Security forces detained dozens, and at least 50 people were reported injured.

Signs of trouble began brewing long before the gold medal match between Indonesia and Thailand.

In the preceding bronze medal game between Vietnam and Singapore, fans had vandalized seats and thrown objects at security guards standing near the field.

By the time the Indonesia-Thailand match began, tensions were high and security was outnumbered by the estimated crowd of 130,000, 20,000 more than the stadium's designated capacity.

After Thailand scored in the 30th minute, fans stampeded to the surrounding fence in the lower Sector 15 tribune. A man who fell from a three-meter-high stand was taken to a nearby clinic.

Fans began pelting the field with stones, hitting a Thai player in the arm.

Emotions boiled over at halftime. A fan ran onto the field carrying an Indonesian flag, but was quickly apprehended by police.

Resumption of play was delayed for 45 minutes as hooligans burned seats and rained objects on the field.

The president of SEA Games organizing committee, Wismoyo Arismunandar, accompanied by a dozen military personnel, circled half of the field in an attempt to calm fans.

Appeal

He pleaded through the stadium speaker system: "Remember the good name of this country, don't embarass your country!"

His appeal calmed some, but fell on deaf ears with others.

Jakarta Military Command chief of staff Sudi Silalahi was heard through the stadium speakers directing his troops.

The tense atmosphere remained as the game continued.

When Indonesia lost the penalty shootout at the end of the match, a deluge of broken tiles and wood occurred forcing everyone on the sidelines to scurry to the middle of the field in safety

As the wave of discontented fans burst out of the stadium nothing was safe.

Stands, streets lights and banners were destroyed or burned. Security were helpless as they were heavily outnumbered.

A newly purchased Hyundai van, police number B1275 TX, used to transport officials was caught in the mob and destroyed. The driver was seen fleeing to safety as the mob surrounded the van.

City Military Command spokesman Lt. Col. D.J. Nachrowi still claimed that "generally the situation was under control, we tried to do our best".

He said 48 people were known to be injured, adding that 10 people, caught pickpockting were detained.

He said 3,500 security personnel were deployed in the stadium while another 2,000 were outside. Another 4,500 were on standby, but according to Nachrowi, they were not needed.

The behavior of the soccer fans were a poor comparison to the 10,000 who packed to see the volleyball final also between Indonesia and Thailand at the Senayan Indoor stadium

They were loud but remained courtious. There were no reported incidents of devastation. (04/10/aan/cst)