PSSI to introduce quarterfinals to Ligina

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) has approved the staging of quarterfinals matches for the first time in the history of the Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina).

However, PSSI official in charge of competition and tournaments, Ismet Djalis Tahir, told a media briefing after the managers' meeting on Wednesday that the association had yet to set a date for the quarterfinals.

PSSI originally arranged the semifinals after the West and East division qualifying matches. The semifinals see winners and runners-up from both divisions competing for the final berth.

With this new form of competition, the four best clubs from both divisions will compete in the quarterfinals. The sixth Ligina will kick off at Jatidiri stadium in Semarang on Nov. 7.

"The league will end in mid June, 2000, probably on the 14th. We have not decided on the new schedule, but we will arrange it so it will not coincide with the National Games (PON)," Ismet said. PON will run from June 19 to June 30 in Surabaya.

Ismet said that any of the 28 clubs, which have more than two national players in their line-up, would be allowed to ask for a match delay if their players were playing for the national team at the same time as the Ligina schedule which includes Asia Cup matches.

Commenting on the dispute on player transfer's between clubs, Ismet said PSSI had urged clubs to compromise in order to settle any disputes prior to the Ligina.

"The conflict is largely between players and their original clubs," he said, adding that players always consider moving to another club when their contracts are over.

"They don't think of extending their contracts with the club. It's a matter of different interpretation on the contract," he said.

"PSSI has asked the conflicting clubs to solve their problems immediately because the competition must go on," Ismet added.

The conflicting clubs are Persebaya, PSM Makassar and Persija Jakarta. Persebaya officials complained that their players, who have ended their deals for this season, still had an option to extend their contracts to defend the 1999 Ligina runner-up, despite moving to other clubs.

After the meeting, Persebaya's and PSM's officials were still discussing the players transfers. Persebaya's goalie Hendro Kartiko and defender Aji Santoso have signed a deal with PSM while defender Anang Ma'ruf has moved to Persija.

Ismet also said PSSI had revised two schedules that took place on the first day of the Ligina. In the West division, the match between PSMS Medan and Medan Jaya was canceled until Nov. 8 to attract more spectators.

Another match, in the East division in Gresik, East Java, will be moved as Petrokimia Gresik's homeground was undergoing restoration.

In Semarang, PSIS chairman Soetjipto said PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar was scheduled to officially start the Ligina. Agum will witness the first match featuring defending champions PSIS and Barito Putra.

"Semarang must show soccer fans across the nation that Central Java, particularly the capital Semarang, can groom and train players for the national team and stage the opening of the Ligina with discipline and order," he said. (har/ivy)