Jakarta, West Java to clash in Coke final

SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Young West Java looks set to follow in the winning steps of its senior team Persib Bandung as it marches into the Haornas Coke Cup under-15 soccer championship final after beating home favorite East Java 4-3 yesterday.

The West Javanese will play Jakarta, which ended South Sulawesi's giant-killing run 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out in the other semifinal. Both Jakarta and South Sulawesi wasted the regulation 70 minutes in a goalless draw.

Hard-running striker Ronin scored two out of his hat trick to put West Java 2-0 in the first half. The host team, playing to frenetic fans, pulled back to equalize twice during the goal spree before Suwarsa sealed its fate in the 68th minute.

Yudi Setiawan kept his never-say-die team's hopes alive with his 69th-minute goal, his second of the match. But a superb defense displayed by West Java kept East Java's up-front charges at bay.

It was apparent that the two teams were well-prepared for yesterday's semifinal. They fielded their tallest and biggest footballers who played a high-speed match.

But as the game developed, it was evident that the West Javanese were the better side. They dictated the first half, thanks to their outstanding tactics and ingenuity of ball possessions.

Playmaker Nurhasan Basri orchestrated West Java's bottom-up charges, with Ronin waiting for the right moment for a final touch. A well-knit partnership with Basri enabled Ronin to score a hat trick.

Though winning the game, West Java was far from satisfied. "The All-Indonesia Football Federation should have sent referees from provinces other than East Java to ensure a fair decision," Akhmad, a West Java official, complained.

The annual tournament offers Rp 1 million (US$454) in cash for the champion. The top scorer and best player receive Rp 500,000 each. (arf)