PSM to face Persipura in league opener

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has confirmed that the 2001 Bank Mandiri national soccer league first qualifying round will kick off on Jan. 14 in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The second round will start on April 7.

Defending champion PSM Makassar will challenge Persipura of Jayapura in the opening match at Mattoangin stadium. Eleven other matches will also be played throughout the nation.

PSSI's competition director Iswadi Idris said that as of Thursday, only 16 out of 28 clubs competing in the league had registered their participation. "We're still waiting for the clubs to register themselves by Dec. 21 at the latest," he said.

He added that the Indonesian national team has canceled its participation in the Millennium Super Soccer Cup in India from Jan. 10 to Jan. 25 due to the league.

The six clubs which finished bottom at the end of the qualifying rounds will be relegated to the first division while the two clubs which came top of the first division will move up. (ivy)