JAKARTA (JP): Red hot favorite Persib Bandung set up another

JAKARTA (JP): Red hot favorite Persib Bandung set up another
encounter against PSM Ujungpandang when they cruised their way to
the intercity amateur soccer championship grand final last night.

Bandung claimed its final slot after surviving a thrilling
penalty shoot-out, held under heavy rain, against host Persija
Jakarta 5-4. The game staged before a crowd of 80,000, which
filled the Senayan stadium and caused serious congestion on their
way to the 100,000-seat arena, ended in a 1-1 draw even after
extra time had expired.

In the other semifinal, defending champion Ujungpandang lived
up to their pre-match boasting with a 1-0 hard earned win over
another favorite but under-form Persebaya Surabaya, thanks to
midfielder Ansar Razak's 35th minute chip during a goalmouth
scrimmage.

Both Bandung and Ujungpandang shared a scoreless draw in their
Group K top-of-the-table match which seemed to be less of a game
than an relaxing demonstration of energy conservation.

The West Javanese side, who won in 1990, paved their way to
tomorrow's grand final after Maman Suryaman's thunderous penalty
shot bounced in off a bar over the stranded goalie Aries
Rinaldie.

The Persija Jakarta midfield burst into tears while jubilation
and euphoria swept the whole Bandung camp. It was an ironic
ending for Maman, a former national player, who volleyed past
Aries five minutes after the kick-off to give his side a 1-0
lead.

First shooter captain Robby Darwis scared the Wardaya-men when
he failed to beat in-form Jakarta goalie Zahlul Fadil. But Aries
gave his teammates a sigh of relief when he blocked Tony
Tanamal's penalty execution.

Yudi Guntara, the substitute Asep Kustiana, Sutiono and Yusuf
Bachtiar made successful shots for Bandung, while Jakarta
converted their goals through Patar Tambunan, Iskandar and
captain Rachmad Darmawan.

The Bandung boys were about to warm themselves up as Rachmad-
led squad built a swift bottom-up foray in Bandung's defensive
ground. The ball got loose from left winger Iskandar who
attempted an approach the goalmouth. Maman, who was left open,
swept the ball to the far post as Aries dived in vain.

The favorite Bandung, with the support of thousands of banner
waving, screaming fans, totally dominated the first half, but
Zahlul was the hero who frustrated Sutiono, attack-minded
defenseman Nandang Kurnaedi and Yusuf Bachtiar.

The rain-soaked pitch did not stop Bandung from charging
Jakarta with incessant raids in the second half. Bandung reaped
what it sew when Yusuf Bachtiar drove a Roy Darwis' pass with a
blasting right foot volley to a far post ten minutes after the
break.

Robby and company kept up the pressure, but they missed
numerous golden scoring chances despite the crowds who blew
trumpets and screamed themselves hoarse to root the favorites.

Underform

In the next do-or-die battle, conducted under a constant
volley of plastic bottles, was close from the opening whistle,
with both Surabaya and Ujungpandang players fighting tooth and
nail to overcome the drenched field.

Surabaya immediately dominated the midfield, running rings
around Ujungpandang defensive zone but unfortunately the untiring
efforts never paid dividends.

The defending champion sealed Surabaya's dreams of making a
final appearance when striker Kamaruddin Djamal, after a
brilliant solo run, sent a cross to the goalmouth. Ansar, who was
sandwiched by two rival defensemen, hit the ball to the net.
Captain Margono Asnan sped to clear the ball, but could not stop
it from finding the nylon.