PSM, PKT pledge action-packed soccer final

PSM, PKT pledge action-packed soccer final

JAKARTA (JP): The final of the Bank Mandiri national soccer
league on Sunday will see two clubs from outside Java fight it
out for their first ever President's Cup.

PSM Makassar of South Sulawesi and Pupuk Kaltim Bontang (PKT)
of East Kalimantan are no strangers to each other, having met
numerous times in the eastern group of the league.

But despite their many encounters, both teams pledged the
final on Sunday would be full of action that would entertain
spectators and supporters of the clubs.

RCTI and TVRI will air the final live at 4:30 p.m.
Jakarta Time on Sunday..

Boasting highly motivated players with great individual skills
and tenacity, PSM is favored to take over as league champion from
PSIS Semarang, which was relegated to the first division after
its poor performance this season.

PKT, owned by the state-run fertilizer company, is not
intimidated, saying it will use its underdog status as motivation
to surprise PSM.

After all, both clubs taught their western opponents that
strategy, not great players, is the decisive factor in becoming
champion.

PSM crushed home-favorite Persija's dream of raising the
championship trophy for the first time, narrowly defeating it 1-0
in the first semifinal match on Thursday. PKT followed PSM into
the final by edging past Persikota Tangerang 4-3 on penalties.

PSM assistant coach Syamsuddin Umar and PKT assistant coach
Soengkowo Soediharto said their teams had no special preparations
for the final because they were well acquainted with each other's
playing styles and strengths.

"We are accustomed to PKT," Syamsuddin said on Saturday. His
counterpart, Soengkowo, added: "There is no special preparation
or tactics. We meet so many times that it might become routine."

Soengkowo said his team was more prepared than PSM. "PKT hired
a foreign coach before PSM."

PKT is coached by Sergei Dubrovich of Moldova, while PSM is
guided by Dutchman Henk Wullems, a former coach of the Indonesian
national team.

Soengkowo and Syamsuddin both said their teams would play
aggressive soccer on Sunday.

PSM team manager Kadir Halid said PKT was not an easy
opponent. "PKT comprises local players with good skills. But PSM
has undergone intense physical training, enabling us to be able
to fight for 90 minutes and extra time. If they want to be
aggressive, we will counterattack from the beginning."

PKT team manager Arif Budi Santoso did not want to be left out
of the war of words, saying: "Our team is physically ready. But
we are still setting our strategy. We will play without any
burdens because everybody sees us as the underdog."

South Sulawesi Governor H. Zainal Basrie Palaguna and East
Kalimantan Governor H. Suwarna AF are expected to attend the
match. (ivy)