Persib 1-3 defeat to Persija sparks violence

BANDUNG (JP): Hundreds of dejected fans turned violent on Sunday after local team Persib suffered a 1-3 defeat to Persija Jakarta.

The upset crowds stoned windows of dozens of shops and smashed flower pots to pieces on their way home from the Siliwangi stadium, in defiance of the heavy presence of security troops.

The violence caused panic on the city's major streets of Jl. Tamblong, Jl. Asia Africa and Jl. Dewi Sartika, as many of the shops were packed with people when the disturbance occurred.

Police were seen arresting a number of people who had joined the rampage. Security authorities were quick to restore order, but there was no official statement on the number of arrests.

Security troops blocked the effected roads, causing heavy traffic jams in surrounding areas.

The fans had scared Persija players by rushing onto the field and hurling plastic bottles at their visitors. The Jakartans almost walked off the field to protest the interruption midway through the match.

An over capacity crowd of 40,000 watched their team trail 0-3 with 12 minutes to go. Dedy Umarela, Luciano Leandro and Rocky Putiray scored for Persija before Dadang Rusmana earned a consolation goal for Persib in the 78th minute.

The win put Persija on top of the Western Conference subgroup B with 15 points. Persib finished third and three points behind Petrokimia Putra which snatched the group's other berth to the second round after a 2-2 draw with PSBL Lampung on Sunday.

In the day's other action, PSMS Medan secured its second-round berth in style, beating PSP Padang 3-0 to finish on the top of the Western Conference subgroup A at Teladan Stadium in Medan.

It was a sweet revenge for the Medan side, which lost 0-4 away to the same opponent last November. (45)