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)