PSM outclasses PKT 3-2 to clinch league title

PSM outclasses PKT 3-2 to clinch league title

JAKARTA (JP): PSM Makassar outshone Pupuk Kaltim Bontang of
East Kalimantan 3-2 to win the semi-professional Bank Mandiri
national league title at Senayan stadium here on Sunday.

PSM's controversial striker, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto, proved to
the general public that he's still an astute player with a fine
instinct for goals despite the allegations of drug use that have
surrounded him over the past few years. He scored two of the
three goals in the 40th and 75th minutes and substitute Rahman
Usman contributed another one in the 55th minute.

PKT managed to narrow the PSM's lead through a header in the
77th from defender Aris Budi Prasetyo which proved too much for
goalie Hendro Kartiko. Three minutes later, PSM's defender
Syamsuddin Batola touched the ball with his hand and a penalty
was awarded to PKT. Senior player Fachri Husaini completed the
job but it was too late for PKT to get even with PSM.

PSM supporters immediately rushed onto the pitch to celebrate
the victory and played a game of tag with the police who seemed
to be somewhat late in reacting. The crowds also set off
firecrackers and burned the tribune seat.

The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) also nominated PSM
midfielder Bima Sakti as best player gaining him a prize of Rp 25
million (US$2,700). Persija's young striker Bambang Pamungkas was
the top scorer of the season with a total of 24 goals.

Bima and Bambang edged out Kurniawan in votes and goal
accumulation. Kurniawan has so far scored 23 goals.

The league champions received the President's Cup and Rp 75
million in prize money, while the runner-up bagged Rp 50 million.
The champions will also represent this country in the Champions'
Cup.

PSM's assistant coach Syamsuddin Umar praised his team's
performance but said that he suffered a bit of anxiety when PSM
failed to save two goals.

"Our players were too overconfident after they went 3-0 up,"
he said. He added that his team would likely sign some players
from outside the club when it plays in the Champions' Cup. "We're
interested in hiring Bambang. I've dreamt of partnering Bambang
and Kurniawan as strikers," he said.

PKT's assistant coach Soengkowo Soediharto said he was
satisfied with the result which was beyond his expectations.

"We had initially expected to reach the top eight. But in the
end we came and it is as if we have climbed up to the sky. Pupuk
Kaltim management have pledged to improve this club," he said.

Kurniawan said that he felt indebted to PSM which had treated
him as a human being and this had motivated him to do the best he
could.

"I have a deep emotional bond to PSM. The personnel there
really care for me. They have not only helped me when they needed
me, but they even held out their hand and hired me when I was
charged with taking shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine). I also
wanted to prove to the public that I'm not as bad as they think,"
he said.

Meanwhile, Bima expressed his hope that other players could
use him as a role model for fair player. Bima has never been sent
off nor received a yellow card in all 30 matches.

"We should appreciate the referees and players in every
matche. We must know how to do this before we want to be a top
player," he said.

Bima said he had vowed to contribute 2.5 percent of the prize
money to a mosque in Makassar. "I have not decided which mosque I
will give it to," he said with a smile.

Meanwhile, the PSSI official in charge of the disciplinary
commission Andi Darussalam Tabusala said he would make a
recommendation to chairman Agum Gumelar to update the rules on
supporters' unruly behavior during semifinal and final matches.

"The current rule only stipulates how to sanction clubs which
fail to control their supporters during a match," he said. (ivy)