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)