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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