Persebaya Surabaya holds spectator record

Persebaya Surabaya holds spectator record

JAKARTA (JP): Persebaya Surabaya has accumulated a record of
155,000 spectators during its six national soccer league matches
at home since the league kicked off on Nov. 27 last year.

The data, issued by the All-Indonesia Football Association,
reveals that the East Javanese team, winner of the 1986 intercity
amateur championship, outdid its West Division rival Persiraja
Banda Aceh which has attracted only 92,000 spectators in its
seven home matches so far.

Semi-professional champion Pelita Jaya of Jakarta trails is in
third place, with 83,500 attending five matches, followed by
North Sumatra's Medan Jaya with 74,000 in eight matches.

Amateur sides Persija Jakarta and PS Bengkulu registered the
fewest spectators, with 12,500 apiece. Persija has hosted five
matches, three more than Bengkulu.

A total of 1,518,500 soccer fans turned out to fill stadiums
throughout the country in 152 matches staged in the past two
months. The East Division leads the West Division by 189,000
spectators.

The data discloses that referees have sent off eight players
and showed 270 yellow cards during the first 152 matches. The
East Division matches saw six players sent off and 135 yellow
cards.

Surabaya-based semiprofessional team Assyabaab Salim tops the
goal-scoring list with 19, two more than Pelita Jaya. A total of
338 goals were scored, with West Division teams netting 172
goals.

The newly established Indonesian soccer league, which is
allowed to employ foreign players, groups 17 semi-professional
and 17 amateur city clubs, making it the biggest league in the
world. The teams are split into two divisions, with the two top
teams playing in the grand final in July.

The league has been taking a long break since Jan. 30. Games
will resume after the Idul Fitri holiday early next month. (amd)