PSSI to set date for final match

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the fifth Indonesian Soccer League (Ligina) organizing committee Maj. Gen. Sartomo and deputy Iswadi Idris will fly to Manado, North Sulawesi, on Monday to set the date of the final at Klabat sports stadium.

All-Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) spokesman Tondo Widodo said on Sunday the officials would meet local final organizing chairman Lucky Korah, who is also the Manado mayor, to discuss detailed preparations.

Defending champion Persebaya Surabaya will face dark horse PSIS Semarang in the final. Persebaya beat PSMS Medan and PSIS defeated favorite Persija Jakarta in Thursday's semifinals.

Tondo said he would accompany the two teams to Manado on Tuesday in an Air Force Hercules aircraft.

PSSI decided to move the Ligina final, which was scheduled for Sunday evening, from Senayan stadium in Central Jakarta to Manado after Jakarta Police revoked PSSI's permit due to security reasons.

Ten PSIS fans died in train accidents in South and East Jakarta on Thursday, hours before the semifinals began. Sporadic violence occurred during the matches.

Lucky was quoted by Kompas daily on Sunday as saying Manado was a fitting host for the final because it was politically stable.

"In principal, Manadonese are open to newcomers. So we will not hesitate to accept PSSI's offer to host the final," he said.

PSSI chairman Agum Gumelar has yet to announce the date of the final, but said it would be held on either April 9 or April 10.

Chairman of the Indonesia Sports Council (KONI) Wismoyo Arismunandar regretted the decision and said that the final should be held at the best site as originally decided.

"As the KONI chairman, I wish for the final to take place according to the original plan and that it should not be moved to another city," Wismoyo was quoted by Antara as saying on Saturday. (ivy)