Wed, 17 Mar 1999

Persija makes good start in Ligina playoffs

JAKARTA (JP): Persija made a fine start to open its campaign at the fifth Indonesian soccer league (Ligina) playoffs on Tuesday by defeating Pelita Bakrie 1-0 in a Group II round-robin match at the Senayan main stadium.

The match proceeded peacefully despite the worry of hooliganism.

Governor Sutiyoso was among the 10,000 fans. Chairman of the All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) Agum Gumelar and former chairman Azwar Anas were also present.

Police and military officers checked tickets at stadium entrances and soldiers were deployed among the spectators in each section of the stands.

The first match of Group I between Semen Padang and Persikota Tangerang ended in a scoreless draw.

Persikota's coach Sultan Harhara and Semen Padang's coach Yenniwardin praised their teams for performing well despite their relative youth.

Persija midfielder Luciano Leandro converted a penalty in the 79th minute which made it past Pelita goalie Kurnia Sandy's diving effort.

Referee Purwanto gave the penalty kick to Persija after defender Gusnaedi Adang brought down Pelita striker Rocky Putiray.

"I prayed to God to make this goal. And God did it for me," the Brazilian said after the match.

Pelita immediately tried to make up the deficit. In the 83rd minute, Kurniawan made a left-footed kick from 20 meters outside the penalty area, but goalkeeper Jean Mbeng caught the ball.

With two minutes left, Kurniawan volleyed the ball after receiving a header from Indrianto, but Mbeng was again fast on his feet.

Pelita's captain Ansyari Lubis also made an attempt, but his shot was too high.

Coach Danurwindo blamed poor strategy for the defeat.

"In the first half, both teams had the same strategy. But in the second half, our players played defensively which led to the penalty kick."

Danurwindo said his team would evaluate its form to prepare a better strategy for its game against PSM Ujungpandang on Thursday.

"There are still three matches. There's no other way for Pelita except to play its very best," he said.

Purwanto gave three yellow cards to Persija Olinga Atangana and Pelita's Gusnaedi Adang and I Made Pasek Wijaya.

Wednesday will feature Pupuk Kaltim versus PSMS Medan followed by Petrokimia Gresik against Persebaya.

On Thursday, Persikota will face PSIS Semarang and Pelita Bakrie will meet PSM Ujungpandang.

Earlier on Tuesday, Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman said police deployed thousands of security personnel to secure the playoffs against unrest.

He urged hooligans to refrain from disrupting the playoffs, warning officers would not hesitate to arrest them and send them back to their hometowns.

At least 3,000 security personnel and an equal number of civilian militia members, better known as kamra, will be deployed inside the main stadium and its vicinity.

Noegroho responded curtly when asked if the police were forced to approve holding the event in the capital despite the widespread fear of unrest.

"Who says it was forced? It's here now, let's keep it safe and not disturb the public," he said, noting soccer was one of the country's favorite sports.

Police have asked the organizers to move the venue to Cimahi, about 180 southeast kilometers of here, if riots occur. (emf/ivy)