War of the Stars ends in a 3-3 draw

War of the Stars ends in a 3-3 draw

JAKARTA (JP): The star-studded War of the Stars yesterday
between the national league's best from the Western and Eastern
divisions lived up to expectations but ended in equilibrium.

Both sides settled for a 3-3 draw after 90 minutes of
entertainment which drew cheers from more than 50,000 fans.

But, in fact, there was a victor as Tukimin, a seller of flour
bits used in the traditional drink cendol, snatched a jeep worth
Rp 27 million (US$11,700) after beating his idol, goalkeeper
Hermansyah, in a shoot-out contest.

The short, barefoot soccer fan danced in jubilation, made a
victory lap and performed somersaults before receiving the token
car key from chairman of the Indonesian Football Association
Azwar Anas.

Tukimin, from Wonosobo, a hill town in Central Java, was given
the chance to participate in the contest after Wayan Mertayasa of
Denpasar, Bali, failed in his attempt.

The Western team opened the scoring through last season's top
scorer Peri Sandria in the 35th minute with a header from Ansyari
Lubis's cross pass. The score remained 1-0 until half-time.

It took the Eastern side 20 minutes to equalize, thanks to
Cameroon's Vata Matanu's cannon ball from a free kick. Seven
minutes later Widodo Cahyo Putro put the Eastern team up, but
only after squandering two golden opportunities.

Montenegran Dejan Glusevic fired home the ball that bounced
off Darryl Sinerine to help the Westerners pull level in the 69th
minute. The Western team's celebration proved short-lived as
Matanu struck a second just two minutes later, following a fine
cross from Anang Ma'ruf.

Glusevic saved the day for the Western squad, which lost 4-5
in the first War of the Stars last year. This time the prolific
striker sank his header past Sinerine just five minutes before
time.

Referee R. Pratoyo flashed three yellow cards for Eastern
defender Aji Santoso, Western midfielder Emanuel Mabuang Kessack
and teammate Nur'alim. (yan)