PSSI to introduce quarterfinals to Ligina

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)