PSIS fans go on rampage after team loses game

SEMARANG (JP): Thousands of disappointed PSIS Semarang fans attacked the police and other spectators on Sunday after their team lost to Barito Putra of Kalimantan on the opening day of the Sixth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).

The defending champion lost 0-2 at Jatidiri Stadium.

Three police officers and four spectators were injured in the incident. They were treated at the stadium.

The fans' rampage included burning a number of billboards outside the stadium. Police eventually brought the situation under control and no arrests were made.

Among the 10,000 spectators were State Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mahadi Sinambela, chairman of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) Agum Gumelar and the chairman of the East Java branch of the National Sports Council (KONI) office chairman Djoko Sudantoko.

Bambang Harsoyo scored Barito Putra's goals in the 35th and 37th minutes of the first half.

Unrest started in the first minutes of the second half when the fans were disappointed by PSIS' poor play and its losing deficit.

Referee Jajat Sudrajat stopped the game for 10 minutes until the situation was brought under control. In the 85th minute, Jonnah Ballah of PSIS scored past Barito Putra's keeper Dwi Sasmianto. The referee disallowed the goal, leading the spectators to run onto the field and begin burning billboards outside the stadium.

Jajat stopped the match and awarded Barito Putra the victory.

In a Ligina match at Yogyakarta, the home team PSIM drew 1-1 against Persebaya Surabaya at Mandala Krida Stadium.

Persebaya striker Reinold scored the first goal for his team in the 12th minute of the first half off a rebound from the post from Pietersz. PSIM goalkeeper Priadi failed to catch the ball.

In the 38th minute also in the first half, PSIM striker Gatot Ismawan scored for his team making the score even 1-1.

Both teams continued to attack but were unable to score.

In Medan, Antara reported that PSDS Deliserdang beat Persijatim of East Jakarta 3-0.

PSDS's goals were from Jerry Papilaya (37th minute), Nopiyanto (54th) and Arifin Sinaga (80th). (har/44/lnt)