Persebaya pledges to play hard against PSMS in 1st semifinal
Persebaya pledges to play hard against PSMS in 1st semifinal
JAKARTA (JP): Defending champion Persebaya Surabaya and home
favorite Persija Jakarta will play aggressively in the soccer
league (Ligina) semifinals on Thursday at the Senayan main
stadium.
Persebaya, which aims to break the jinx of winning the title
once every decade, will face the 1995 champion PSMS Medan in the
first match. Persija, hoping to win its first title in the
league, will then face underdog PSIS.
Persebaya coach Rusdy Bahalwan said his team would strengthen
its defense and optimize its offense.
"People say Persebaya is an offensive team that is weak in
defense. But I told my players to intensify their attack and also
focus on their defense," said the former national team coach.
Persebaya defenders will guard PSMS top players such as
midfielders M. Afan Lubis and Edwin Daud who could tactically
pass the ball to their teammate striker Jean Michel Baboaken from
Cameroon.
"PSMS Medan was always lucky in odd years, but Persebaya had a
decade-long cycle. It claimed the title in 1977, 1987 and 1997.
This year we want to extend our success and become the champion,"
Rusdy said.
PSMS team secretary Antonny Wendry, in response to Rusdy's
remark, said his team were prepared to face the "Bajul Ijo"
(green crocodile) team.
"We are ready to challenge Persebaya. We will play without any
pressure and I'm sure we can obtain the title as champion," he
said.
Persija's team manager Ahmadin Ahmad said his team had been
unsuccessful in winning a title since the first league was kicked
off in 1991.
"We are surprised that we reached the semifinals and we'll
give our best shot to reach the final," he said, adding that his
players would put intense pressure on PSIS top striker Tugiyo and
midfielder Ali Sunan.
Ahmadin expressed hope Persija fans from various ethnic
groups, calling themselves the Jak mania, would provide positive
support for the players.
"We will organize our supporters step by step not only to
direct their highly fanatical support to the team because they
must be able to show discipline as good soccer fans."
PSIS team manager Sudarmanto said his team was keen to win its
first title in 12 years. PSIS, better known as the Mahesa Jenar
team, won 1-0 defeating Persebaya in the First Division soccer
federation championship in 1986.
PSSI spokesman Tondo Widodo said the final and semifinal would
use the sudden death rule if both teams tied at the end of the
game. (ivy)