PSSI unveils groups for new league season

JAKARTA (JP): The All Indonesian Soccer Federation (PSSI) announced on Thursday the soccer league championship grouping for the new season set to kick off on Nov. 1.

PSSI spokesman Tondo Widodo said the 28 clubs would be split into three geographical conferences. Except for the Eastern conference, the Western and Central conferences will have two subgroups each, "for efficiency reasons".

Persiraja of Banda Aceh, Medan Jaya, PSMS Medan, PSDS Deli Serdang, PSP Padang and Semen Padang line up the Western division subgroup A, and Persija Jakarta, Persita Tangerang, Persib Bandung, Petrokimia Putra of Gresik and PSBL of Bandar Lampung are in subgroup B.

The central division also comprises 11 clubs from Java and Kalimantan. Jakarta-based Pelita, Persikota of Tangerang, Arema of Malang, PSIM of Yogyakarta, Persikabo of Bogor and Persikab of Bandung are placed in the sub-group C. The conference's subgroup D consists of Persebaya of Surabaya, Barito Putra of Banjarmasin, Gelora Dewata of Denpasar, PSIS of Semarang and Persema of Malang.

The Eastern conference features Persipura of Jayapura, PSM of Ujungpandang, Persma of Manado, Persiba of Balikpapan, Putra Samarinda and Pupuk Kaltim, also from Samarinda.

Tondo said the federation had tried to avoid two clubs of the same town from joining the same group, citing past worries that a derby drew only a low attendance rate.

All teams will play home and away matches, with top the two teams from each subgroup advancing to a round-robin competition vying for three berths in the final eight round. The two teams from the Eastern conference move directly into the quarterfinal stage.

Quarterfinalists will be divided into two groups, in which they will play home and away matches. Two best teams of each group will reach the cross-over semifinals. The final is scheduled for March 21, 1999.

The regular season will take a hiatus during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadhan between December and January.

A charity match pitting former champions Persebaya and Persib on Oct. 25 at the Senayan Stadium will raise the curtain for the league.

The league was prematurely terminated in May due to security concerns.

Tondo also said that Hong Kong-based promoter Star Point would confirm the league's sponsors by the end of the month.

"Clubs are allowed to seek their own sponsors other than motorcycle, soft drink, communication equipment, cameras, photography film, cigarette and credit card companies." (yan)