Soccer clubs gear up for league's semifinals

Soccer clubs gear up for league's semifinals

JAKARTA (JP): PSM Makassar of South Sulawesi and home favorite
Persija remained the strongest candidates to win the Bank Mandiri
national soccer league semifinals at Senayan Stadium Thursday.

But their roads to the final will not be easy as underdogs
Persikota Tangerang and Pupuk Kaltim of East Kalimantan (PKT)
have pledged to perform their best to clinch this year's title
and earn Rp 75 million (US$7,895) prize money.

PSM is scheduled to face Persija in the first match at 5.00
p.m. Jakarta Time while PKT will challenge Persikota in the
second match at 7.00 p.m.

PSM, coached by Dutchman, Henk Wullems, has a solid team with
skilled players. It was undefeated in three matches in the
quarterfinals last week. Wullems, formerly coach of the country's
top clubs, Bandung Raya and Pelita Jaya, coached the national
team in 1997 when Indonesia won bronze in the Southeast Asian
(SEA) Games here.

PSM's two stalwarts, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and Miro Baldo
Bento, make it clear that it will not be easily defeated. The
absence of its top goalie, Hendro Kartiko, will not disturb the
team's performance.

Kurniawan, a former member of Primavera team -- the Indonesian
under 19 team that trained in Italy -- is striving to be the top
scorer over junior Bambang Pamungkas of Persija. Bambang has
collected 24 goals, three more than Kurniawan.

PSM's team manager Kadir Halid refused to comment on the
Soccer Association of Indonesia's (PSSI) recommendation to clear
Kurniawan from charges of consuming illegal drugs.

"But I'm afraid that our supporters will be offended if other
team's supporters start to disgrace Kurniawan during the semis.
Kurniawan is in better condition than he was in Jakarta. His
mentality is good and he's mature enough," Kadir said on Tuesday.

Kadir also hoped that PSSI would deploy professional referees
to avoid unfairness. He added that his team was ready to accept
winning or defeat. "I won't seek a scapegoat if the team loses."

Persija's team secretary, Asrizal, said his team is not afraid
of PSM's big name. Persija will benefit from its 10,000
supporters expected to crowd the stadium.

"Persija was successful in beating PSM in a friendly match in
Jakarta last year. That fact can help boost our confidence."

Rahmat Darmawan, Persikota's assistant coach, said the team
would keep its attacking style in the semis and depend on solid
teamwork.

"It will be a tough match Thursday as PKT and Persikota have
similar styles of play. Both teams will rely on solid teamwork
and motivation to win," he said.

PKT team manager Arif Budisantoso assured that his team would
not be easily cracked under pressure.

"I hope the team can maintain its fighting spirit, and not
easily give up to the other team. I have observed Persikota's
performances on TV and our team will try to intensify the attacks
and control the center field." (ivy)