PSIS upsets Persebaya to claim Ligina title

PSIS upsets Persebaya to claim Ligina title

By Ivy Susanti

MANADO, North Sulawesi (JP): Underdog PSIS Semarang
unexpectedly upset defending champion Persebaya Surabaya 1-0 in
the thrilling final of the fifth Indonesia Soccer League (Ligina)
at Klabat stadium on Friday.

PSIS's top striker Tugiyo was the team's hero when he passed
through several Persebaya defenders after receiving a pass from
captain Ali Sunan, kicking the only goal just one minute before
referee Djadjat Sudrajad blew his whistle to end the match.

"I tried my best to make the goal. I wanted to defeat
Persebaya. We have lost two times to the team and we didn't want
it to happen here," said Tugiyo, 22, who was born in Purwodadi,
Central Java.

"I dedicate this goal to my mother Djani and father Arno and
all Semarang citizens."

Semarang Mayor, Soetrisno Suharto, who witnessed the match,
rushed onto the field as the game ended, hugging PSIS team
manager Sudarmanto, team officials and players as drummer Jelly
Tobing sang Queen's We Are The Champions.

"I thank all the players who have given me a nice present at
the end of my term as mayor. PSIS was a dark horse and God gave
us the victory," said Soetrisno, who is also a PSIS patron,
adding that he would resign from office in January, 2000.

Soetrisno said Central Java Governor Mardiyanto, had promised
to give team bonuses but declined to specify the form of the
bonus. He also said the Central Java administration would try to
find a job for Tugiyo when he and his team returned to Semarang.

PSIS performed all out before 30,000 soccer fans and
maintained pressure on Persebaya who failed to play offensively,
the team's main characteristic. Both teams intensified their
defenses and the first half ended scoreless.

"Our players had a big motivation to win. But in the last
minutes, their spirit and stamina declined. Luckily, Persebaya
players were tense and failed to improvise. We managed to take
advantage of the situation," said PSIS coach, Edy Paryono, who
burst into tears.

Persebaya coach Rusdy Bahalwan complimented the form of the
winning team, saying that he would not seek to scapegoat his own
players for the loss.

"I instructed my players to play more offensively in the
second half. The last ten minutes were critical, but PSIS
surprisingly scored the goal.

"Our players played under pressure, including midfielder Uston
Nawawi who failed to perform to the best of his ability."

PSIS received Rp 75 million (US$8,620) prize money from State
Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Agung Laksono, while runner-
up Persebaya pocketed Rp 50 million from All-Indonesian Soccer
Federation (PSSI) chairman Agum Gumelar.

PSIS will compete in the Asia Champion Cup and Persebaya will
play in the Asia Winners Cup. Both will commence in July.

PSIS captain Ali Sunan was named best player and bagged Rp 25
million from PSSI.

PSDS Deli Serdang striker Alain Mambenda of Cameron was named
top scorer with 11 goals. While Semen Padang, whose players were
not issued any yellow or red cards, was announced fairest team.

Agum welcomed the sportsmanship of the playoffs and expressed
hope that the attitude would improve Indonesia's soccer
development.

"A competition means nothing without sportsmanship. I'm proud
that the final ran smoothly and safely. I thank the Manadonese
for their contribution, which made the final happen," he said.