Persib takes President's Cup
Persib takes President's Cup
by crushing PSM 2-0 in final
JAKARTA (JP): The fans favorite Persib Bandung took the
coveted President's Cup, symbol of national supremacy in amateur
soccer, with an emphatic 2-0 win over title holder PSM
Ujungpandang in their grand final at Senayan stadium last night.
Inspired by Kekey Zakaria, a constant threat on the left
flank, coach Wardaya's men demonstrated some of the sparkle that
under-form PSM Ujungpandang didn't have to take their second. The
prolific Kekey curled in two crosses which assured Yudi Guntara
and Sutiono of unbeatable goals.
In the consolation round, Persebaya Surabaya repeated last
year's feat by winning the third spot after overpowering a
demoralized host Jakarta 4-2. Surabaya was the consolation winner
as star striker Agus Winarno was named the best player. Agus led
the tournament's top scorers's list with Bandung's Sutiono with
five goals.
More than 90,000 inundated the 100,000-seat stadium, forcing
the 1,900 security officers deployed their yesterday to pay full
attention to massive brawls sparked by a high degree of
provincial fanaticism.
The officers did not allow spectators to bring in plastic
drinking water and trumpets to the stadium in an attempt to avoid
repeat of hooliganism past. The large number of security
personnel, however, did nothing to hamper a group of Ujungpandang
supporters bent on vandalizing their opponents vehicles after the
match. They smashed windshields into pieces on at least seven
cars parked near the Senayan southern gate and overturned one
other.
The official in charge of security, Lt. Col. SY Wenas, had
guaranteed earlier that the deployed officers, including those
who were placed along the roads surrounding the stadium, would
keep order.
The vandalism joined the conduct by hundreds of Persebaya
Surabaya fans, who damaged the train provided by the state-owned
railway company Perumka for them on Saturday and forced several
food stalls to give them food and drink, as the tournaments major
blemishes.
Relentless raids
Receiving most of the spectators' support, Bandung set off the
match with a string of relentless raids while giving Ujungpandang
no chances. A few seconds after referee I Made Sudra blew the
opening whistle, Bandung forward Sutiono threatened, but volleyed
wide the long pass from defenseman Nandang Kurnaedi.
With Nandang making continuous overlaps, the West Javanese
side made the running throughout with an obvious dominance in the
midfield. Either Sutiono, Kekey or midfielder Yudi squandered at
least six glorious scoring chances before Yudi lobbed home a
right-footer in the 30th minute to put his team 1-0 ahead.
The 1986 and 1990 champion kept up the pressure, but goalie
Herman Kadiaman displayed great skill and composure to close the
floodgates at his teams doorstep.
Ujungpandang, which edged out Surabaya 1-0 in Friday's
semifinal, made several answers in the second half with its
characteristic powerful play. Suwahyo's squad took such an
aggressive approach that three were booked for hard tackles.
Lacking passing skills, they almost never reached Bandung's
goalmouth, except for striker Kamaluddin Jamal's header which
floated centimeters above a bar.
Sutiono, after missing several great chances, powered into the
box for Kekey's cross before calmly slotting the ball in the 82nd
minute as Herman advanced in vain. The commanding lead was enough
for Bandung, who slowed the pace and kept Ujungpandang from
really testing goalkeeper Aries Rinaldi.
With jubilant Bandung fans around him, coach Wadaya said "I'm
very satisfied. I can step down from being Bandung's coach in
relief." Wadaya led the West Javanese on their 1986 and 1990
title marches as well.
While Surabaya had remained relentless in their semifinals
defeat, a spiritless Jakarta played to a 1-1 draw with Bandung on
Friday. Jakarta then lost 4-5 on penalties. It seemed to set the
stage for their consolation match.
Jakarta veteran Kamaruddin Betay's right-foot found an
equalizer after Surabaya had gone ahead. Surabaya's Dodik then
found a header in the last seconds of the first half to put his
side ahead at 2-1.
Surabaya, the 1988 champion, stepped up attacks throughout the
second half, but Jakarta substitute goalie Haryono survived
several testy situations in his goalmouth. Midfielder Arifin
received his turn when he headed home the ball in the 79th
minute.
Agus widened the gap with a left-footer nine minutes from
time, following a scrimmage in Jakarta's penalty box. Jakarta
came closer in injury time through a penalty shot superbly
converted by Iskandar, but the never came closer. (amd)
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Hendro declines Kopassus -- 28 pts Metro Medium l/c
help in Jakarta 'cleansing' -- 3 cols 2 lines`