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.