PSSI unveils groups for new league season

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)