National soccer league semifinals start today
JAKARTA (JP): The 110,000-seat Senayan Stadium will again be the focus of soccer fans when four teams -- two from East Java, one each from West Java and South Sulawesi -- play the national soccer league semifinals today.
Managers of the four best teams in Indonesian soccer have vowed that their teams will play fairly.
In today's semifinals, Mitra Surabaya will play Bandung Raya at 3.30 p.m, while Persibaya will meet PSM Ujungpandang at 6 p.m.
The winning teams will meet in the final July 27.
The manager of last year's winner Bandung Raya, Trie Goestoro, said he was happy with the draw.
"It doesn't matter whether we win or lose but our players will fight," he said.
PSM's manager, Nurdin, said "PSM is ready for revenge against defending champion Bandung Raya".
PSM lost to Bandung Raya in last year's final.
"But we will face a tough match against Persebaya before playing Bandung Raya," he said.
Backed by this year's top scorer, Brazilian Jacksen Tiago, Persibaya is favorite to win this year's title.
Unlike other teams, Persebaya is fielding many young players under 22 years old.
Abdul Kiron, Uston Nawawi, Anang Ma'ruf, Mursyid Effendi and Sutaji are among the young players in the team dubbed Indonesia's Dream Team.
There are several awards on offer for this year's best player, best team and top scorer.
The season's top scorer will win the Rp 15 million Adidas Golden Shoe award.
Persebaya's Jacksen will win the award after scoring 23 goals this year. His nearest rivals are Persiraja Banda Aceh's Irwansyah, PSM Ujungpandang's Musa Kallon and Persiba Balikpapan's Gatot Indra with 14 goals each.
At the draw for the finals, the All Indonesia Football Federation's chairman, Azwar Arnas, called on the teams to uphold the spirit of brotherhood.
"Don't make it a war because we are all brothers," he said.
He said it was also an important preparation for the coming Southeast Asia (SEA) Games.
Indonesia did not win any medals for soccer at the last SEA Games in 1995 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The host won both the men's and women's soccer gold medals.
Two days before the semifinals, hooligan supporters began causing trouble near the Senayan stadium.
About 1,000 hooligans extorted money from people and cheated food vendors working the area.
Some of them stole food prepared for SEA Games athletes training at the stadium.
The incidents have drawn public criticism over the lack of security.
A group of youths also stopped people crossing the bridge near the stadium entrance gate on Jl. Sudirman. No police were on duty near the bridge.
Police have arrested many passengers suspected of being hooligans when they arrived at Jatinegara railway station. (03)