Results 30/04

Indonesia Super League

Persiba v Deltras 4-0 (Khairul Amri, Robertinho, Erik Setiawan, Abdul Mony) 3,974

Persela v Persiwa 5-1 (Taufiq Rasun, Mustafic Fahruddin, Redoaune Barkaoui, Jimmy Suparno, Zulham Zumrun) 7,500

Divisi Utama

Persitara v Pro Titan 1-1 (Brima Pepito; Mario Costas) 3,351

Persikabo v PSMS 2-3 (JimmyWuwungan, Zaenal Arief; Gaston Castano 2, Valaderes) 6,431

Persih v Persita 1-1 (Leanardo Veron; Rishaudi Farzi) 4,539

Perires v Persipasi 1-3 (Ramadansyah; Mahsyur, Serge Emuele, Munirul Islam) 215

PSLS v PSSB 2-0 (Carlos Sciucatti, Anton Irawan) 4,231

PSAP v PS Bengkulu 5-0 (Osas Marvellous 3, Feri Komul, Sukman) 3,174

Perseman v PPSM 1-0 (Nasution) 2,764

Persiram v Persis 3-0 (Persis never travelled. Game awarded to Persiram 3-0)

PSIM v PSIS 2-0 (Steven Anderson, Nova Zaenal) 11,267

PSCS v Persikab 1-1 (Riski Setiawan; Ebus Angel Cnuchukwu) 9,725

Mitra Kukar v Persemalra 2-1 (Franco Hita 2; Masrudin) 4,873

PSIR v Persipro 2-1 (M Husen, Da Silva; Junaidi) 1,500

Persiku v PSMP 3-2 (William Moreno 2, Agus Santiko; PeterKuoh 2)

Perseru v Persekam 2-0 (Daniel Agochukwu, Mamadou Diallo) 2,547

Persidafon v PSBI 5-0 (Abel Quioh 2, Ernest Jeremiah 2, Juan Cirelli) 1,247

Persigo v Persebaya 2-0 (Ramdan Raadi, Andri Abubakar) 625

1 - Persiraja 24 15 3 6 43-25 48

2 - PSAP 24 14 5 5 53-20 47

3 - PSMS 24 14 3 7 36-25 45

1 - Mitra Kukar 24 15 2 7 38-20 47

2 - Persiram 24 11 9 4 26-20 42

3 - Gresik United 24 12 4 8 27-16 40

1 - Persidafon 24 15 3 6 51-17 48

2 - Persiba 24 13 5 6 52-20 44

3 - PSBI 24 12 3 9 29-24 39

Both Persita (4th) and Persipasi (5th) in Group One had better points total than the 3rd placed teams in Groups 2 and Group. Whether Persita will go through to the play offs remains to be confirmed. Teams in bold preseumably will go through to the play offs to be played who knows where on a date who knows when.

Liga Primer Indonesia

Jakarta v Persema 0-1

Aceh United v Bogor Raya 1-0

Bintang Medan v Minangkabau 1-0

Persebaya 1927 v Persibo 4-0

Real Mataram v Tangerang Wolves 2-1

1 - Persema 15 11 3 1 32-12 36

2 - Persebaya 15 10 3 2 36-13 33

Thai Premier League

Thai Port v Samut Songkram 2-1

TTM Phichit v TOT 0-1

Osotspa v Siam Navy 4-1

Chonburi v BEC Tero 2-0

Malaysia Super League

Kelantan v KL 2-0

T Team v Pahang 0-0

Johor FC v Sabah 3-0

Felda United v Negeri Sembilan 2-2

Perlis v Harimau Muda 1-3

Hey Buddy, Spare Me Satang

I have a soft spot for Thai Port, mainly because I lived just round the corner from them for many years in my Bangkok days. Football has been kind to them recent years winning the FA Cup in 2009 and the League Cup in 2010.

The start of 2011 saw a new investor talking big money but negotiations are still on going with players not having been paid for a while now.

They sit 14th in the 18 team TPL with just two wins and six goals.

Today they play Samut Songkram in what will be coach Sasom Pobpraserd's 100th game in charge at PAT Stadium. Rumours are rife he has been targeted by 1st Division team Buriram and he has admitted informal discussions have taken place.

Plenty of more gossip about Thai Port can be found on the Thai Port blog.

Results 29/04

Malaysia Super League

Terengganu v Selangor 1-1

Perak v Kedah 1-3

Malaysia Premier League

Selangor PKNS v Penang SDM Navy 6-0

Johor v ATM 0-0

Penang v Penang USM 2-5

Sarawak v MP Muar 6-0

Pos Malaysia v Sime Darby 0-3

SLeague

Woodlands Wellington v Gombak United 0-1

Top Scorers

SLeague

8 - Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers)

7 - Frederic Mendy (Home United), Mislav Karoglan (SAFFC)

6 - Shotaro Ihata (Albirex Niigata)

5 - Maxime Belouet (Etoile), Joordan Webb (Hougang United), Fazrul Nawaz (SAFFC)

Malaysia Super League

11 - Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Kelanatan)

9 - Abdul Hadi Yahaya (Terengganu)

6 - Badhri Radzi (Kelantan), Ahmad Rakli (Perak), Ashaari Samsuddin (Terengganu)

Malaysia Premier League

7 - Khairul Akhyar (PKNS), Norizam Salaman (Johor), Fitri Omar (MP Muar), Khairul Izuan (PDRM), Bobby Gonzales (Sarawak)

Thai Premier League

6 - Leandro (Army United), Ronnachai Rangsyio (BEC Tero)

5 - Wasan Natasan (Chiang Rai United), Sarayut Chaikamdee (Bangkok Glass)

Thai Division One

6 - Rewat Meerean (Raj Pracha), Pichet In Bang (Suphanburi)

5 - Justine Uche (BB CU), Anusak Laosangthai (Air Force United)

Indonesia Super League

20 - Boas Solossa (Persipura)

15 - Edward Wilson Junior (Semen Padang)

14 - Kenji Adichihara (Bontang)

11 - Aldo Baretto (Persiba), Bambang Pamungkas (Persija), Julio Lopez (Persisam)

Divisi Utama

31 - Fortune Udo (Persiba)

26 - Osas Marvellous (PSAP)

18 - Patrick Wanggai (Persidafon)

16 - Christian Carasco (Persita), Franco Hita (Mitra Kukar)

Liga Primer Indonesia

12 - Fernando Soler (Real Mataram)

11 - Juan Manuel Cortez (Batavia Union)

10 - Emmanuel de Porras (Jakarta)

9 - Samsul Arief (Persibo)

Fear Of Violence Moves LPI Game

Not much has changed in Indonesian football. The Liga Primer Indonesia game between Solo Ksatria and Persebaya 1927 is likely to be played away from both cities after police refused a permit to hold the game. There is a strong rivalry between the cities of Solo and Surabaya which comes to ahead in football matches even if the're not playing each other.

Last season Persebaya fans, on their way to Bandung, fought with Solo fans from their train carriages in scenes that were frequently replayed on Indonesian TV with everyone looking on going tut tut tut.

SAFFC Trounced By White Swans

2010 was a rare barren season for SLeague side SAFFC. They won nothing. OK, maybe the won the toss once or twice but that was about it.

Coach Richard Bok made some changes and went into 2011 hoping for better luck but if anything last season's inconsistencies have not gone away.

A big investment at the back has seen the experienced Daniel Bennett joined by the consistent Bah Mamadou and the younger Daniel Hammond. Together with Shaiful Esah a strong defence one would contend wouldn't one? Five clean sheets in their opening seems to support that argument.

At the other end new striker Mislav Karolgan has come in started netting straight away with five in his opening 19 games. Surely things were coming together for the Warriors?

Well, not quite. Two wins in their opening two games was followed by a defeat. Two more wins followed by one more loss. Then, before last night, three wins and a draw, against champions Etoile, perhaps had Bok thinking a corner had been turned.

Then came Albirex Niigata. 6-3 they lost. Six bloody three! Suddenly the meanest defence in the league was parting like the Red Sea for every Singaporean's favourite Japanese team.

Striker Karolgan did his job last night, he scored twice, the other was scored by Ivan Jerkovic, but 'cos football is a team game and 'cos he is a professional, he would have been gutted because his team lost. No gloating on the MRT going home after the game saying ha ha I scored twice.

For Bok some serious questions lie ahead. Was this drubbing just one of those days that happen to everyone no matter what they do? What is stopping the team putting together a decent run of results? Did he buy enough bunting for the street party today celebrating the royal wedding?

Yet More Blogs

This last week has seen me start a regular blog on the Jakarta Globe website. They'll start off with a general overview of the game in Indonesia before becoming more specific.

The blog home page can be found here!

Medan Chiefs Still Seeking Coach

Medan Chiefs have been without a coach ever since Jorg Steinbrunner left, reportedly unhappy at what he saw as managerial interference in his position.

The fact that the coaching vacancy ad on the club website, seriously have you ever heard of a football club looking for a coach by posting an ad on their own website, states any future coach must accept the CEO's intervention any time he feels is right suggests some truth in that supposition.

In today's Top Skor the club owner, and CEO, says he has had several people express an interest in the position, including some posting on the website which has been inundated with spam. However he says he will only entertain serious applications from serious coaches.

Serious coaches who, presumably, won't mind the CEO interfering in their job once in a while!

Ahmad Sarji Named Malaysia's Olympic Chef-de-mission

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Former chief secretary to the government Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid has been appointed Malaysia's chef-de-mission for the London Olympic Games next year.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) honorary secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi said Ahmad Sarji's appointment was endorsed by the OCM at its meeting on Saturday.

Sieh said the meeting also appointed Malaysian National Cycling Federation deputy president Datuk Naim Mohamed as chef-de-mission for the SEA Games in Jakarta and Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia president Datuk Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali as chef-de-mission for the Games in Palembang.

The 2011 SEA Games will be held in Jakarta and Palembang from Nov 11 to 25.

"The trio were nominated last month and endorsed by OCM on Saturday," he told Bernama Wednesday.

Ahmad Sarji is Malaysia Lawn Bowls Federation president.

-- BERNAMA

Chelsea In Thailand

English Premier League giants Chelsea FC confirmed they will send the full squad to Thailand for a friendly match against Thai Premier League All Stars team on July 24.

The Coke Super Cup match will be played at Rajamangala National Stadium.

Apart from the Bangkok stop, the Blues will also visit Malaysia and Hong Kong as part of their Asian tour in the summer.

The president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), Worawi Makudi, said the friendly match will give Thai players a good opportunity to play against world-class opponents.

"It is good for the Thai Premier League players to play against Chelsea. Their team is full of superstars. They will gain some good experiences from this match," said Worawi.

Dr Wichit Yamboonruang, the TPL chairman, said the match will take place during the mid-season break and he hopes to get the best players available for the match.

"Each club will have to co-ordinate with us. We will select the best players for this match."

Pongsakdi Polanant, Executive Director of I-Sport Co., Ltd, the tournament organisers, said the Chelsea squad will arrive in Thailand on July 22 and will stay until July 25.

"The Chelsea's players will stay at Shangri-La hotel. While they are in Bangkok, they will give a football clinic. There will be a meet & greet session with the fans.

"We hope to see a lot of the Thai Blues' fans coming out for this match."

Tickets are 500, 800, 1,500, 2,000 and 3,000 baht and can be purchased at Thai Ticket Major outlets (or go to http://www.thaiticketmajor.com), I-Mobile shops and Star Soccer shops (Panthip Plaza and Seacon Square branches).

The sales date will be announced next month together with other promotional activities.

SOURCE

COMMENT - rumours that Chelsea will be visiting a certain bar in Pattaya remain unconfirmed!

Gombak's Scattered Strike Force

About 18 months ago it looked like Gombak United would be the team to break the stranglehold SAFFC had on the SLeague. They boasted the best defence with Bah Mamadou and Obadin at the heart while also boasting the most potent strikeforce in the country.

Agu Casmir headed to Persija in Indonesia, Kingsley Njokou has ended up with Phnom Penh Crown in Cambodia while Gabriel Obatola is now with Pattaya United in the Thai Premier League after a spell in the US with Portland Tomberwolves.

Don't forget Goran Subara, now with PSM, also Indonesia and you had there a team that surely would have challenged eventual champions Etoile all the way. It's a great shame we never got to find out how good that team could have been.

Big Defeats For Indonesian AFC Cup Hopefuls

AFC Cup

Song Lam Nghe An v Sriwijaya 4-0 6,000

1 - TSW Pegasus 4 3 0 1 11-5 9

2 - Sriwijaya 4 2 1 1 6-7 7

3 - Song Lam Nghe An 4 2 0 2 9-6 6

4 - VB 4 0 1 3 5-12 1

Chonburi v Persipura 4-1 (Pipob 2, Suree, Therdsak Chaiman) 6,821

1 - Chonburi 4 2 1 11-8 7

2 - Persipura 4 2 1 9-6 7

3 - South China 4 1 2 1 5-7 5

4 - East Bengal 4 0 2 2 8-12 2

Divisi Utama

Persitara v PSMS 1-0 (Nurcahyono) 2,014

This game all but ended PSMS' outside chances of an automatic play off spot but they still stand a chance as one of the best of the rest if you get my drift. Scrappy game, Vagner Luis got sent off for a stupid elbow and not long after Persitara fans invaded the pitch. No one seemed to know why and no one seemed to stop them so they probably thought what the hell.

Malaysia Super League

Kelantan v Selangor 1-0

Harimau Muda A v Negeri Sembilan 1-1

T Team v Kedah 3-1

Felda United v Johor FC 0-0

Perak v KL 5-3

Sabah v Terengganu 1-2

Perlis v Pahang 1-2

1 - Selangor 15 10 2 3 19-12 32

2 - Terengganu 15 9 4 2 26-13 31

3 - Kelantan 15 9 3 3 34-15 30

11 - Norshahrul Idla Talaha (Kelantan)

9 - Abdul Yahya (Terengganu)

SLeague

Home United v Geylang United 2-1 (Frederic Mendy 2; Kim Jae Hong) 1,279

1 - Tampines Rovers 10 8 2 0 21-7 26

2 - Home United 11 7 2 2 23-7 23

3 - SAFFC 10 7 1 2 17-6 22

Jakarta Globe Blog

he Jakarta Globe is introducing a new blog feature to their website and they have asked me to contribute some articles. So, guess what? I'll be writing about Indonesian football. Mostly.

My first post is now on line

Persita's Late Revival Sees Them In Play Off Bid

I'd long discounted Persita Tangerang's chances of reaching the play offs but a run of six wins in their last eight has seen them catapult into the leading clubs in Group One and despite a tough game away to Persih at the weekend they will still believe they are in with a shout.

Persires v Persita 0-5

Persita v PSSB 5-0 15,335

Persita v PSLS 4-1 15,331

PS Bengkulu v Persita 1-0

Persita v Persiraja 3-1 14,276

Persita v PSAP 1-0 10,000

Persita v Persipasi 2-1 15,000

Persitara v Persita 0-0

Their fans of course, will tell you have have always believed their team would get a play off place as the attendances can attest. Mind you, five home games have helped!

It may all be too little too late for the team known as Viola. PSAP play PS Bengkulu in their final game and all they have to do is win that, and they're another team who 'enjoy' home games, and what the Viola do is irrelevant. Indeed, it is PSMS who pose a bigger threat to the Aceh team with two games in hand, the first this afternoon away to Persitara.

Thai Port Facing Implosion?

Despite winning trophies in the last two seasons, FA Cup 2009 & League Cup 2010, and reportedly attracting an investor willing pump serious money into the club it appears negotiations ain't going well and the the guys may well walk away from the deal, possibly taking some of the team with them.

More details can be found on Thai Fussball and Thai Port blog.

Thai football boomed in 2009 but my own feeling, admittedly from afar, is that things have not improved since then with internecine bickering as well as alleged favoring of certain teams. I've already said on this here site that is it even worth carrying on with the season when we all know that Buriram PEA will win the Thai Premier League and Buriram will win Division One.

Indonesia Super League Under 21s

Ive just fallen off my chair!

Check out this informative media pack ahead of the ISL Under 21 play offs that kick off. No mention of who's playing who but still pretty bloody good!

Results 26/04

Divisi Utama

Persidafon v Persekam 5-1 (Patrick Wanggai 2, Ernest Jeremiah 2, Eduard Ivakdalam; Muzake) 1,328

Perseru v PSBI 2-0 (Fontaba, Setyabudi) 2,510

Persiku v Persipro 2-0 (Handri, Rochim) 6,357

PSIR v PSMP 2-0 (Erpina, Suyono) 10,173

Gresik United v Persemalra 3-1 (Batubara, Usman, Nawawi; Kabery) 16,220

Persik v PSIS 0-0 4,115

PSIM v Persikota 3-1 (Prasetyo, Suchayo, Maran; Zandonaide) 6,784

Persiram v PPSM 2-0 (Usman, Sauyai) 952

Perseman v Persis 3-0 (Game awarded to Perseman, Persis didn't travel)

Persiraja v PS Bengkulu 3-0 (Nanda Lubis 2, Irwanto) 8,053

Persires v Persita 0-5 (Agu Salim 2, Christian Carrasco, Cecil Mfundo 2) 311

Persikabo v Pro Titan 2-3 (Ilham Hasan, Jibby Wuwungan; Antonio Teles 2, Naibaho) 4,763

Persih v Persipasi 1-0 (Friday Gbeneme) 3,400

1 - Persiraja 24 15 3 6 43-25 48

2 - PSAP 23 13 5 5 48-20 44

3 - Persita 23 12 6 5 44-17 42

4 - PSMS 22 13 3 6 33-22 42

1 - Mitra Kukar 23 14 2 7 36-19 44

2 - Gresik United 24 12 4 8 27-16 40

3 - Persiram 23 10 9 4 23-18 39

1 - Persidafon 23 14 3 6 46-17 45

2 - Persiba 24 13 5 6 52-20 44

3 - PSBI 23 12 3 6 29-19 39

As it stands, Persiraja, Mitra Kukar, Persidafon and Persiba are guaranteed spots in the play off while PSAP, Persita, PSMS, Gresik United and Persiram must sweat it out to the final day on Saturday. PSMS play their game in hand this afternoon away to Persitara, a game I would love to see but day job and all that! Check my Jakarta Globe article today for more about the Divisi Utama race.

31 - Fortune Udo (Persiba)

26 - Osas Marvellous )PSAP

18 - Patrick Wanggai (Persidafon)

16 - Franco Hita (Mitra Kukar), Christian Carrasco (Persita)

Malaysia Premier League

PDRM v Penang USM 0-2

Sarawak v Penang 5-0

Pos Malaysia v Johor 1-2

Sime Darby v PKNS 0-1

MP Muar v ATM 3=2

Penang SDM v Harimau Muda B 0-6

1 - Selangor PKNS 13 10 3 0 25-2 33

2 - Sarawak 13 8 2 3 31-12 26

3 - Johor 14 8 1 5 25-18 25

Jakarta Globe Column

I turn the focus on to the second tier of Indonesian football this week with a look at the promotion run in in the Divisi Utama. Check it out in the Jakarta Globe.

Tanjong Pagar's Woes Highlight SLeague Divide

Tanjong Pagar are a club with a proud history. They were runners up in four of the first five years of the SLeague and the one year they missed out on second place they won the Singapore Cup.

The 1980s were their time though, before the advent of the SLeague. They won the National Football League twice, the old domestic competition at a time Singapore still competed in the Malaysia Cup, and won the President's Cup on four occasions.

The Jaguars were brought back into the SLeague on the eve of the current season and it has been a baptism straight from the fires of hell as the young team have struggled on the field. You know how bad things are when you get beaten by Hougang United 5-0.

Going into tonight's game Hougang, a rebranded Sengkang Punggol, had managed 12 goals in their opening 10 games. That they'd managed four of them against title challengers Tampines Rovers and etoile is surely worthy of comment. As is the fact they conceded nine in return!

Poor Tanjong Pagar United. Not only are they burdened with an unnecessary word at the end of their name, they have managed just goals all season. Alas, and alck, they have now conceded 31 in their 11 games.

The best thing these guys can do is keep going. They can only get better. They get worse first, though it is difficult to see how much worse you can get than a 5-0 home drubbing by Hougang United.

There is though a bigger question. Tanjong Pagar are a team built around young players basically drawn together at the last minute. What does it say about the state of youth football in Singapore that Tanjong Pagar and Young Lions, the 'official' young players team in the SLeague, have managed just one win and five goals between them in 20 games so far?

Last year there was a strong bid by Yishun Super Reds for SLeague membership. Would they have faired any better than Tanjong Pagar?

The SLeague has become three mini leagues in one. Four teams stand a chance of winning; Tampines, SAFFC, Home and Etoile. Three teams are the whipping boys; Young Lions, Woodlands Wellington and Tanjong Pagar. The rest, the five other teams that make up the dozen, do just that. Make up the numbers.

Tanjong's lack of impact perhaps highlights the reason why clubs in the National Football League, as well as the Football Association of Singapore, are so reluctant to introduce a promotion/relegation between the two leagues. And why the FAS are so keen on foreign teams to make up the numbers.

If there is any positive to come out of this whole sorry debacle it is that next season the players in both Tanjong Pagar and Young Lions, and Woodlands who focus heavily on youth, will have 12 months more experience under their belt and some would be ready for a step up a level, perhaps to Balestier Khalsa (themselves a one time whipping boy) or Geylang United.

Until then we can only expect more of the same.

NOTE - you wanna know something daft? Young Lions and Tanjong Pagar have scored five goals between them in their 20 games. I saw four of them goals!

Booth Is Out

Andy from Cambodia Football is reporting that David Booth has been sacked as coach of Thai Premier League side Si Sa Ket. Of course, they won at the weekend, defeating Pattaya United 2-0, a victory that sees them climb to 11th in the 18th team league just a point behind highly fancied Bangkok Glass. Well, they have deep pockets at least.

Booth has been around yonks and Jakarta Casual TV caught up with him last December when he was in town for the ASEAN Football Federation Cup.

Plenty Of Goals In LPI

Minangkabau v Cendrawasih Papua 3-1

Tangerang Wolves v Aceh United 2-4

Bandung v Real Mataram 5-3

Bogor Raya v Bintang Medan 0-4

Persibo v Semarang United 3-1

Batavia Union v Manado United 4-1

PSM Makassar v Persebaya 1927 4-0

Solo v Jakarta 0-1

Persema v Medan Chiefs 2-1

1 - Persema 14 10 3 1 31-12 33

2 - Persebaya 14 9 3 2 32-12 30

3 - Batavia Union 13 7 4 2 26-17 25

4 - Persibo 14 7 4 3 22-14 25

12 - Fernando Soler (Real Mataram)

11 - Juan Cortez (Batavia Union)

10 - Emmanuel de Porres (Jakarta)

9 - Samsul Arief (Persibo)

8 - Irfan Bachdim (Persema)

Chonburi Keep The Pressure On

BEC Tero v Khon Kaen 3-1

Chonburi v Chiang Rai United 1-0

Sri Racha v Muang Thong United 0-0

Samut Songkram v Bangkok Glass 1-1

Siam Navy v Thai Port 0-0

Army v Police 0-0

Sisaket v Pattaya United 2-0

TTM v Osotspa 1-2

Buriram PEA v TOT 1-0

1 - Buriram PEA 10 8 2 0 16-2 26

2 - Chonburi 10 7 2 1 24-9 23

3 - BEC Tero 10 6 1 3 16-8 19

4 - Police United 10 5 4 1 10-6 19

Rahmad Darmawan Tangani Timnas SEA Games 2011

JAKARTA (Suara Karya): Ketua Badan Tim Nasional (BTN), Iman Arif mengumumkan pelatih Persija Jakarta Rahmad Darmawan terpilih sebagai pelatih timnas U 23 yang dipersiapkan menuju SEA Games 2011.

"Rahmad Darmawan terpilih sebagai pelatih timnas U-23 yang dipersiapkan ke SEA Games 2011. Namanya sudah masuk dalam daftar Program Indonesia Emas (Prima). Kini, kita tinggal tunggu Surat Keputusannya," kata Iman Arif di Jakarta, kemarin.

Dalam menjalankan tugas sebagai pelatih, Rahmad akan tetap berkoordinasi dengan pelatih timnas, Alfred Riedel. Menurut Iman Arif, Rahmad akan mendapatkan gaji sebesar Rp 7 juta dan Ridel selaku pelatih asing dibayar 3 ribu dolar.

"Masalah honor ini memang masih terus menjadi pembicaraan antara pihak BTN dengan Rahmad Darmawan. Tetapi, honor Itu tidak mungkin ditingkatkan karena sesuai dengan standar yang ditetapkan Prima," kata Iman Arif.

Mantan pelatih yang membawa tim Persipura dan Sriwijaya FC menjadi juara Divisi Utama PSSI dan Indonesia Super League ini sudah menyatakan kesediannya. Namun, ia baru bersedia menangani mulai Juli 2011 dimana kompetisi ISL sudah selesai.

Lebih jauh, Imam menyebutkan Rahmad juga mengungkapkan keberatannya mengikuti program pembentukan karakter di Batu Jajar yang diwajibkan kepada atlet dan pelatih Prima. Alasannya, Rahmad harus konsentrasi menangani Persija Jakarta untuk menjalani 9 pertandingan penting.

"Rahmad juga menyampaikan alternatif pelatih yang bisa dipilih menggantikannya di antaranya Widodo C Putro dan Aji Santoso," jelas Imam.

Khusus untuk persiapan timnas, ungkap Imam, manajemen Prima menetapkan ISL dan LPI masing-masing 20 nama pemain.

Mereka akan dimasukkan ke Batu Jajar untuk kemudian diciutkan menjadi 30 pemain. "Ke-40 nama-nama pemain itu sudah ada di tangan Rahmad Darmawan," kata Imam lagi sembari menyebutkan LPI sudah diakui Komite Normalisasi sebagai turnamen. (Ashari)

Inspirational Stuff

Just met with a guy who runs an orphanage with 100 + kids. He has a school attached and a few years back he thought it might be rather fun to set up some football matches with kids in the local kampung schools. As anyone can tell you there is very little in the way of organised schools football in this country and significantly less than that for state schools in more rural areas.

His idea of a few schools having a kick around has now ballooned into a fully functioning league featuring 200 schools with more waiting to join. That's 3,000 kids playing barefoot on rough old pitches in the kampungs around Cibubur and Gunung Putri.

The British Chamber of Commerce loves the project and have got involved, helping out with funding while all the leg work is done by the sports teacher at the orphanage's school.

Last year the semi final and final were held at Soemantri Brojonegoro Stadium in Jakarta and had Ian Rush in attendance, holding a coaching clinic and having a blast.

This year's final is on 14 May, that's FA Cup Final Day and it is hoped that Phil Neal, another ex Liverpool player, will be in attendance. Along with all 3,000 kids from the competing teams.

Now we may only be talking a couple of hours drive from Jakarta but many of these had never been to the big city up the road. The traffic jams and high rise were jaw dropping for them as was the chance to play on a real football pitch in a real football stadium.

One of the sponsors was a pizza company. On the way back many of thee kids held on tight to their precious slices. Why? They had never seen pizza in their lives and they couldn't wait to show their family and friends. Forget Ian Rush and the high rise, pizza was tangible proof they had been to Jakarta.

After this year's final the winning team will be invited to a dinner at a hotel and there will be a charity auction to raise funds for next year's tournament.

Ifanybody reading this would like to offer something to help these kids continue their football next season then lease feel free to drop me a line via the usual e mail address or using the one in the side panel on this blog and I will make sure everything is forwarded to the people who are making this happen.

Jakarta Casual TV will be filming their big day to put on line and I am planning on a running a couple of articles ahead of the big day in local old media to help build awareness.

Those of us who grew up in the west will have taken a school's football league for granted with trips to Wembley etc for big games. This kids, by fate of birth, missed out on what we took for granted. Perhaps this one day at Soemantri Brojonegoro Stadium can be their Wembley day out.

Cod, Haddock, Ikan, Plaa, Shark, Tuna

Arema's AFC Champion League campaign ended ignobly with a 5-0 thumping against Chinese side Shandong Luneng.

They went into the game without either of their first choice keepers, Mega Kurnia and Ahmad Kurniawan, as well as influential striker Noh Alam Shah and Roman Chhmelo. Also missing were the likes of Dendi Santoso and Guillen Esteban.

According to the official team sheet they had just four players on the bench.

There was talk that some players' passport got lost during the visa application process.

China doesn't seem to be a happy hunting ground for Indonesian teams does it? For those with long memories Shanghai Shenhua defeated Persik 6-0 in the ACL back in 2007.

You want salt n vinegar with that?

Go Figure

Everybody in Indonesian football talks about the need to generate more revenue streams, about the need to get more bums on the seats. But as is all too often the case the hot air coming from their mouths is never backed up by any meaningful action.

Check out these two attendances for Persib's last couple of home games.

v PSPS 15,146

v Sriwijaya 26,567

The astute will know that the Sriwijaya game was played on a public holiday while the PSPS was played in the afternoon of a work day.

I think the numbers speak for themselves...but why were there no other games scheduled for yesterday? Not even the Liga Primer Indonesia, who talk alot about mimicking the English Premier League, saw fit to spread games over the weekend.

The final week of Divisi Utama is upon us...and just one game is scheduled for the weekend while Monday, bloody Monday ffs when everyone is back at school and work, has a full complement...

Tampines Celebrate Champions Draw

Tampines Rovers are left sitting pretty at the top of the SLeague after the champions from the last two seasons, Etoile and SAFFC, fought out a 1-1 draw last night at Jalan Besar.

Anthony Moulin gave Etoile the lead just after half time but Fazrul Nawaz levelled things on the hour mark.

Busy night for the ref with nine yellows and one red. How they must love seeing their names in the paper.

1 - Tampines Rovers 10 8 2 0 21-7 26

2 - SAFFC 10 7 1 2 17-6 22

3 - Home United 10 6 2 2 21-6 20

4 - Etoile 10 6 2 2 15-7 20

The Newin Chidchob Football Pyramid

With Buriram PEA all set to win the Thai Premier League after PEA were parachuted into the small north eastern town ahead of last season, how fare the town's original team, called rather plainly Buriram? Well, it must be a family tradition but having been promoted to Division One last year they lead the table and remain unbeaten after nine games.

While a Buriram double would no doubt be welcomed by the province's first family and assorted hangers' on it would not be good for Thai football as other regional heavyweights would decide they wanna be involved and we could see the game become just another venue for their pissing contests.

Trouble is...what are they doing wrong and how to prove there is wrong doing. Just 'cos football tables stink doesn't mean there is anything underhand going on. Maybe it's just me. maybe after 20 years in the region I should tone down my cynicism in the political elites and start to believe they are capable of doing good deeds for their communities expecting nothing in return.

Next week I reveal how the tooth fairy married Elvis at a big wedding in the lost city of Atlantis...

Oh, Penang

The island of Penang has long been one of my favourite destinations in South East Asia. I just love pottering round the streets of Georgetown, having Chicken Vindaloo at the Kashmir and getting ratted at the Hong Kong Bar. Hell, I love it so much I even nurse my hangover by picking up the local newspapers to find out how Liverpool and Chelsea are doing.

The City Stadium was also one of the first football stadiums I visited in the region. I forget the chronology, you think I'm that sad, but certainly on one of my many trips there I did walk out to the stadium and peered through the fence.

Football on the island doesn't give Penangites much to smile about. Their are three teams in the Malaysia Premier League. Penang, from the local football association, Penang USM, who I think are a university team, and Penang SDM Navy who are, and I'm just guessing here, a Navy team.

Anyway, just have a look how they're doing in the 12 team MPL.

9 - Penang USM 12 5 0 7 15-16 15

10 - Muar MP 12 4 3 5 14-19 15

11 - Penang SDM Navy 12 1 2 9 12-28 5

12 - Penang 12 0 1 11 7-30 1

They all seem to play at different stadiums. Penang play at Bandaraya Stadium, the one I once wobbled out to, SDM Navy play at Batu Kawan, where ever that may be and USM play at USM Sports Stadium, ditto.

Hmm, a Penang football weekend anyone?

Sarawak Close In On PKNS

A useful win last night for Sarawak, ok all wins are useful, I'm just upping the word count, away to Harimau Muda B sees them, Sarawak, climb to 2nd place but they're still four points adrift of leaders Selangor PKNS having played a game more.

Tonight sees PKNS play 3rd from bottom MP Muar looking to extend their lead even further.

Young Lions 0

It hasn't been much of a season for Young Lions in the SLeague so far. They have just one win and three goals from their opening eight games. The early season circus of Pele etc has been forgotten as the season has now become one defeat after another; the latest coming in the last minute against title challengers Home United.

Beating Geylang United 3-2, in front of Pele and Eric Cantona, seems a long time ago and things aren't about to get any easier for the team with away games against Etoile and SAFFC on the near horizon.

This is a vital year for Young Lions. And not just because a private consultant has been brought in to try and spice up things off the field. The SEA Games are at the end of the year and the Lions will be expected to form the core of that team that will try and bring Singapore glory at the biennial event.

Season so far

v SAFFC 0-2 2,534

v Balestier Khalsa 0-0

v Geylang United 3-2 2,728

v Hougang United 0-1

v Albirex Niigata 0-5 1,519

v Tanjong Pagar 0-0

v Tampines Rovers 0-1

v Home United 0-1 626

To be apart from the Albirex game they won't be too upset I don't think, perhaps more so with the manner and narrowness of the defeats. Sloppy defending for sure against Geylang United, their one win so far, almost cost them three points while last time out against Home United the visitors had to wait until the last minute before settling things.

Likewise Tampines Rovers had to wait until the 80th minute before the ageless leksander Duric was able to settle things.

To put a more positive spin on things, take the 5-0 drubbing out the equation and the Young Lions have a defence as mean as any in the top half of the table.

Saturday sees them play the inconsistent Gombak United. They may well fancy that!

Widening The Singapore Cup Appeal

Here's a thought. (Yep, I do have them once in a while.)

Given that four foreign teams enter the Singapore Cup every year why don't the organisers start to think that little bit bigger and start looking further afield for entrants?

The 2010 Cup featured Bangkok Glass, who won the Cup, South Melbourne, Phnom Penh Crown and Kitchee from Hong Kong.

Ok, not bad and a good run out for all concerned. But why not start looking further afield to teams who could add a few hundred to the gate. Right on their doorstep are Persib, Arema or Persija for example. Or PSMS and Persebaya?

North of the Causeway Harimau Muda, Kelantan or Johor?

Why stop there? Chinese teams have proved unattractive opponents over the years but what about teams from India, South Korea or Japan, tapping into the large expat numbers from those countries.

Or what would be the coup de grace and would surely add serious numbers to the gate. Reserve or youth teams from major European leagues? Imagine what a temporary shot in the arm having Manchester United Under 21 team take part in the Singapore Cup would be? Cash in on those buggers who fill the MRT and shopping malls in their awful replica shirts, why not have them part with some of their cash to benefit the local game?

You can be sure blue chip companies would salivate at the opportunity to have their name associated with big name European clubs.

OK, so the Singapore Cup Final is normally held in November...but it doesn't have to be, does it? Not if some real big names can come over in June?

ROWING TEAM TARGET FIRST MEDAL AT 2011 SEA GAMES

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The national rowing team has targeted a
first ever medal from the sport at the 2011 SEA Games, hosted by Indonesia, from
November 11-25.

Malaysian Rowing Association (MRA) president Abdul Malik Abdul Ghani
said 30 rowers had been identified to undergo training at Universiti Teknologi
Malaysia (UTM) since December last year to prepare for the Games.

"All rowers are students from local universities and they will train
continuously until the Games," he told reporters at the Varsity Boat Race 2011
press conference held here today at the UTM International campus.

Abdul Malik said the national team would also compete in the World Canoe
Marathon championships in Singapore this October to tune up for the Games.

Indonesia as the host, has included rowing, including traditional boat race,
as part of the SEA Games programme although the Laos SEA Games did not feature
the sport.

Meanwhile, during the Varsity Boat Race to be held at the Putrajaya
Watersport Complex from Oct 3-10, cabinet ministers will be invited to head the
Dragon Boat teams representing government agencies.

UTM vice chancellor Datuk Zaini Ujang said 10 teams from foreign
universities like Oxford, Cambridge and Nottingham would also be invited to
participate in the event.


-- BERNAMA

The Jakarta Globe

A look at English Premier League. Has it lost its way? Check out my column in Jakarta Globe

Wanggai Out For 6 Months

It is being reported that Persipura's tidy midfield lynchpin, Emmanuel Wanggai, could be out for the next six months.This will be a big blow for both club and country.

Persipura are closing in on their second Indonesia Super League title in three years while Indonesia have World Cup qualifying as well as the SEA ams which they host later in the year.

PSM Plan New Striker Partnership

Liga Primer Indonesia have struggled to make any kind of impact in the debut season but they're hoping to change that with a couple of big name signings in the transfer window next month.

On the radar are Semen Padang striker Edward Wilson Junior and Persijap's Brazilian Alberto Goncalves. Both have proved themselves to be consistent scorers in the Indonesia Super League with Wilson the second top scorer in the current season.

With their pedigree they would both make excellent signings and in the report lined to earlier PSM management sound optimistic.

However Semen Padang did come out the other day and told PSM not to try unsettling their striker and that they fully intended keeping the Liberian for next season.

The ISL finishes mid June.

Phaitoon On The Move

Former Persijap midfielder Phaitoon Thiabma thought he'd hit pay dirt ahead of the new Thai Premier League season when he swapped the shirt of Osotspa for the champions Muang Thong United. Now come rumours he is surplus to requirements and Thai Port maybe snapping him up in the transfer window.

Tanjong Pagar's Dismal Season

With 10 games gone SLeague new boys Tanjong Pagar United have yet to light up the compeition. Indeed, the opposite is true; they have become the whipping boys of the league as a team combined of young players with the odd older head struggle to make any kind of impression beyond a team to boost your goal difference against.

A v Albirex Niigata 0-5

A v SAFFC 1-2

H v Woodlands Wellington 0-0

A v Tampines Rovers 1-4

H v Home United 0-6

A v Etoile 0-3

H v Young Lions 0-0

A v Geylang United 0-2

H v Balestier Khalsa 0-1

A v Gombak United 0-3

P 10 W 0 D 2 L 8 F 2 A 26 Pts 2

At what point does it become a humiliation? This is a concern because such regular thrashings can only have a negative effect on the team. Look at the Arsenal for a a parallel. They seem incapable of winning the big games because they have got used to croaking in them in the past. And losing is a difficult habit to shed.

Next up for this famous old club are three home games against Hougang United, Albirex Niigata and SAFFC.

Malaysia Super League

Pahang v Negeri Sembilan 1-1

T Team v Johor FC 1-1

Felda United v KL 2-1

Perak v Terengganu 1-1

Selangor v Sabah 1-0

Perlis v Kelantan 1-5

1 - Selangor 13 9 2 2 17-10 29

2 - Terengganu 13 7 4 2 21-12 25

3 - Kelantan 13 7 3 3 29-15 24

8 - Norshahrul Idlan Talaha (Kelantan)

6 - Akhmal Rizal (Perak), Abdul Hadi Yahaya, Mohmad Ashaari (Terengganu)

Jakarta Goes To Solo

Jakarta's football fraternity will be decamping to Solo, at least for the Easter weekend. Persija's home game against Persisam on Saturday has been switched to the Central Javan city at late notice because of some political gobfest.

Meanwhile Sunday sees Solo Ksatria host Jakarta in the Liga Prima Indonesia.

Shame about the lack of notice and it being a long weekend. Solo is one of my favourite Javanese cities!

Goran Wants SLeague Return

Former Gombak United central defender/defensive midfielder Goran Subara wants to return to the SLeague when the transfer window opens in Indonesia. He currently plays for rebel Liga Primer Indonesia side PSM Makassar who he signed for when they were coached by Robert Alberts and were playing in the Indonesia Super League.

PSM have struggled to make any headway in the LPI having won four, drawn four and lost four of their 12 games so far and just 14 goals scored and sit 11th in the 19 team league.

UPDATE - I spoke with Goran after posting this and he said that despite what the paper was quoting he had made no decision to leave PSM.

PSMS Hint At What Might Have Been

Eight wins in their last nine games, including a home double over Acehenese promotion challengers Persiraja and PSAP, have quietly put PSMS, one of the proudest clubs in Indonesia, on the outside of a gripping promotion race in the second tier Divisi Utama.

Their last two games are on the road, away to Persitara and Persikabo and you can bet the migrant PSMS fans will be flocking to both games in big numbers as the side that finished runners up in the old format Liga Indonesia in just 2007 try to regain top flight football.

Their last three home games have all been won 2-0 (v PS Bengkulu, Persiraja and PSAP) and just look at the attendances as the fans sense a return to the big time is on the cards

v PS Bengkulu 10,754

v Persiraja 15,121

v PSAP 17,733

They sit hot on the heels of Persiraja and PSAP with a game in hand. Win that and that would really put the Fighting Cocks among the pigeons!

Indonesian Results

Indonesia Super League

Persib v PSPS 0-1 (Herman Dzumafo) 15,146

Persipura v Persiba 3-1 (Gerald Pangkali, Titus John, Lukas Mandowen; Aldo Baretto) 18,538

Persipura needed two very late goals to earn maximum points against a Persiba side that had been hoping for its own title challenge this season.

1 - Persipura 21 14 5 2 54-17 47

2 - Semen Padang 21 10 8 3 32-20 38

3 - Arema 21 10 7 4 35-20 37

20 - Boas Solossa (Persipura)

14 - Edward Junior Wilson (Semen Padang)

12 - Kenji Adichihara (Bontang)

Divisi Utama

Barito Putra v Persiku 2-0 (Amirul Mukminin, Michael Orah) 8,956

Persipro v Persiba Bantul 2-1 (Basri Badussalem, Munik Eko Mulyono; Sugiyanto) 3,215

PSMP v PSS 3-0 (Syaifulloh, Peter Kuoh, Fitriyanto) 3,215

Persemalra v Persiram 2-2 (Lukas Latuperisa, Masrudin; James Debbah, Frans Sauyai) 2,500

PPSM v Gresik United 1-1 (Abdul Rahman; Ali Usman) 3,584

Persis v Mitra Kukar 0-1 (Franco Hita) 3,251

PS Bengkulu v Persikabo 1-1 (Lestalulu; Mu'min) 4,259

Pro Titan v Persiraja 0-0 321

Persita v PSSB 5-0 (Rohmat, Dedi Mulyadi, Agus Salim 2, Riquelme) 15,335

Persipasi v PSLS 1-0 (Supriyatna) 7,776

1 - Persiraja 23 14 3 6 40-25 45

2 - PSAP 23 13 5 5 48-20 44

3 - PSMS 22 13 3 6 33-22 42

4 - Persipasi 22 12 4 6 35-19 40

5 - Persita 22 11 6 5 36-17 39

1 - Mitra Kukar 23 14 2 7 36-19 44

2 - Gresik United 23 11 4 8 24-15 37

3 - Persiram 22 9 9 4 18-15 36

1 - Persidafon 22 13 3 6 41-16 42

2 - Persiba 23 12 5 6 49-19 41

3 - PSBI 21 11 3 7 27-16 36

4 - Persebaya 22 12 0 10 32-33 36

28 - Fortune Udo (Persiba)

26 - Osas Marvelous (PSAP)

16 - Patrick Wanggai (Persidafon), Franco Hita (Mitra Kukar)

SLeague

1 - Tampines Rovers 9 7 2 0 20-7 23

2 - SAFFC 9 7 0 2 16-5 21

3 - Etoile 9 6 1 2 14-6 19

4 - Home United 9 5 2 2 20-6 17

8 - Aleksander Duric (Tampines Rovers)

5 - Maxime Belouet (Etoile), Frederic Mendy (Home United, Jordan Webb (Hougang United), Mislav Karolgan (SAFFC)

4 - Qiu Li (Home United), Fazrul Nawaz (SAFFC)

Friday night sees SAFFC play Etoile!

Thai Premier League

TOT v Army United 1-0

Pattaya United v Sri Racha 2-0

Osotspa v Buriram PEA 0-3

Bangkok Glass v Siam Navy 4-0

Muang Thong United v Samut Songkram 2-0

Chonburi v Sisaket 5-0

Khon Kaen v Chiang Rai United 3-2

Police v BEC Tero 1-0

1 - Buriram PEA 9 7 2 0 15-2 23

2 - Chonburi 9 6 2 1 23-9 20

3 - Police United 9 5 3 1 10-9 18

4 - Muang Thong United 9 5 2 2 13-8 17

6 - Leandro (Army United)

5 - Ronnachai Rangsyio (BEC Tero), Wasan Natasan (Chiang Rai United), Sarayut Chaikamdee (Bangkok Glass)

SEA Games XXVI Diharap Dongkrak Perekonomian Palembang

PALEMBANG--MICOM: Perekonomian di Kota Palembang, Sumatra Selatan diharapkan semakin bangkit dengan menjadi tuan rumah SEA Games XXVI pada 11-25 November 2011. Ketua Pelaksana Pusat SEA Games (SEAG) XXVI, Rachmat Gobel menyampaikan hal itu seusai menghadiri rapat koordinasi panitia pusat dan daerah SEAG, di Palembang, Sabtu (16/4).

Menurut Rachmat, di negara-negara lain kegiatan olahraga itu untuk dimanfaatkan sebagai sarana promosi, guna menarik investasi di negaranya. Ia mencontohkan, China yang menjadi tuan rumah kegiatan olahraga besar, seperti Asian Games maupun Olimpiade, dan kegiatan olahraga lainnya untuk mempromosikan negaranya. "Saya ingin agar Palembang ini sukses melaksanakan SEA Games mendatang," kata.

Ia menambahkan, tujuan SEAG itu juga sekaligus untuk menarik investasi ke Palembang. "Saya berharap provinsi lain juga melaksanakan hal yang sama untuk memanfaatkan suatu event olahraga menjadi sarana promosi daerah masing-masing," ujar Rachmat.

Dia menegaskan, adanya event olahraga tentu akan berdampak pada sumber daya manusia dan ekonomi yang ikut bergairah tumbuh di mana-mana. Sebelumnya, Gubernur Sumsel H Alex Noerdin, menegaskan bahwa tekad daerahnya menyiapkan diri sebagai tuan rumah SEA Games itu, semata merupakan sasaran antara.

Sasaran utama, menurut Alex, adalah untuk menjaring investasi masuk ke daerahnya, karena dengan banyak investasi masuk dapat menumbuhkan ekonomi daerah dan memacu pembangunan sekaligus peluang besar lapangan pekerjaan baru, serta mendorong peningkatan kesejahteraan masyarakat Sumsel. (Ant/OL-04)

Pelatih Baru Timnas Hanya untuk SEA Games

VIVAnews - Satuan Pelaksana Program Indonesia Emas (Satlak Prima) menggelar seleksi untuk posisi pelatih tim nasional sepakbola SEA Games 2011. Dua kandidat yang mengikuti seleksi ini yakni pelatih Persija Jakarta, Rahmad Darmawan dan pelatih Persebaya, Aji Santoso.

Seleksi tersebut tentu saja mengundang pertanyaan berbagai kalangan. Ini terkait kejelasan status pelatih kepala timnas Indonesia yang saat ini masih dipegang oleh Alfred Riedl.

Namun, Deputi Bidang Teknik Badan Tim Nasional (BTN) PSSI, Iman Arif yang juga dilibatkan dalam Satlak Prima menjelaskan bahwa pelatih yang terpilih nanti hanya untuk ajang SEA Games saja. "Pemenangan SEA Games nanti kan bagian dari program Satlak," ujar Iman kepada VIVAnews.

Rencananya pelatih terpilih hanya dikontrak selama 6 bulan atau hingga ajang SEA Games selesai. "Jadi, ini hanya proyek 6 bulan. Usai SEA Games, Satlak dibubarkan. Posisi pelatih pun dikembalikan kepada Alfred Riedl," ujar
Iman.

Iman juga menuturkan bahwa posisi Riedl saat ini masih tetap menjabat sebagai pelatih kepala timnas Indonesia. "Posisi Riedl tidak berubah sebagai pelatih kepala di timnas Indonesia. Tetapi dalam SEA Games ini, Satlak
Prima yang menjadi penanggung jawab. Dan Riedl dilibatkan juga sebagai Technical Advisory," jelas Iman.

Sehingga siapa pun pelatih yang terpilih nanti, baik Rahmad Darmawan maupun Aji Santoso, maka akan selalu berkomunikasi dengan Riedl terkait penetapan komposisi pemain maupun skema permainan. "Jadi, pelatih harian yang terpilih nanti akan dibantu masukan dari Riedl," tambah Iman.

Iman mengakui bahwa hal ini menjadi pengalaman yang baru baginya. Sehingga masih ada beberapa hal yang akan dibahasnya dengan Satlak Prima. "Mengenai batasan kewenangan dan statusnya, akan ditetapkan setelah Satlak memutuskan pelatih terpilih pada minggu depan," ujarnya.
• VIVAnews

Liga Futsal Indonesia Kembali Digelar

LFI 2011 akan diikuti oleh 9 klub futsal dari sejumlah wilayah di Indonesia.


VIVAnews - Badan Futsal Nasional (BFN) kembali menggelar Liga Futsal Indonesia (LFI) 2011 yang akan berlangsung 19 April hingga 24 Juli mendatang. Pemenang LFI akan mewakili Indonesia di Liga Champions Asia Futsal.

LFI, yang merupakan agenda rutin BFN, tahun ini juga dipersiapkan untuk membentuk tim nasional futsal Indonesia yang akan berlaga di SEA Games XXVI di Jakarta dan Palembang.

Cabang olahraga futsal untuk putra-putri akan dipertandingkan secara resmi di ajang Sea Games XXVI 2011. Selain itu, futsal akan dipertandingkan pada ajang PON XVIII 2012 di Riau.

"Dalam liga yang digelar untuk kelima kalinya ini, akan diikuti oleh 9 klub futsal dari sejumlah wilayah di Indonesia. Juara liga, nantinya akan mewakili Indonesia dalam Liga Champions Asia," ujar Sekretaris BFN PSSI, Fritz Rudi dalam jumpa pers di Senayan, Jakarta, Sabtu, 16 April 2011.

Sembilan peserta liga tersebut adalah Harimau Rawa (Riau), Electric PLN (Jakarta), Pelindo II (Jakarta), Futsal Kota Bandung (Jawa Barat), Jatim Futsal (Jakarta), Bank Sumut FC (Sumatera Utara), IM Sriwijaya United (Sumatera Selatan), JICT Futsal (Jakarta), dan Jaya Kencana (Tangerang).

Kesembilan peserta tersebut akan bertarung dalam liga yang dilaksanakan di 3 kota, Jakarta, Lampung, dan Palembang.

Dengan digelarnya liga ini, BFN berharap dapat menjadi wadah penyaluran antusiasme masyarakat terhadap cabang olahraga futsal. "Saya berharap tren bermain futsal akan semakin meningkat dan klub futsal akan semakin banyak jumlahnya" ujar Fritz. (art)
• VIVAnews

Ricky Yakobi Optimis Futsal Bisa Rebut Emas di SEA GAMES

Bola.net - Mantan pemain timnas sepak bola Indonesia, Ricky Yakobi, menilai peluang cabang olahraga futsal meraih medali emas pada SEA Games 2011 lebih besar dibandingkan dengan sepak bola.

"Prestasi timnas futsal dari tahun ke tahun terus meningkat. Apalagi SEA Games nanti digelar di Tanah Air," katanya di sela "technical meeting" Liga Futsal Indonesia di Kantor Badan Futsal Nasional (BFN) Jakarta, Sabtu.

Menurut dia, peluang untuk merebut medali emas memang cukup terbuka. Selain SEA Games berlangsung di Tanah Air, 11-22 November nanti, pemain futsal yang muncul saat ini cukup banyak dan memiliki kemampuan lebih.

Dengan kondisi itu, kata dia, tinggal bagaimana jajaran pelatih menyiapkan tim terbaiknya. Apalagi pihaknya juga mendukung penuh dalam pembinaan maupun "sponsorship" untuk Liga Futsal Indonesia.

"Kami telah lama bekerja sama dengan BFN. Selama ini kami konsentrasi dalam mendukung sepak bola dan futsal. Tapi tidak menutup kemungkinan untuk mendukung cabang olahraga lain seperti bulutangkis," papar Manajer Pemasaran Dalam Negeri Specs itu.

Specs merupakan perusahaan peralatan olahraga. Selama ini telah menjadi klub-klub besar sepak bola seperti Persipura Jayapura dan Sriwijaya FC. Khusus untuk futsal, juga telah mensponsori beberapa klub, termasuk kompetisinya.

Sementara itu, Sekretaris BFN Fried Rudi mengatakan, prestasi timnas futsal Indonesia di SEA Games memang cukup bagus. Pada SEA Games 2007 di Thailand mampu merebut medali perunggu.

"Untuk SEA Games 2009 di Laos cabang futsal tidak dipertandingkan dan di SEA Games 2011 dipertandingkan lagi. Ini kesempatan kita merebut yang terbaik," ujarnya saat dikonfirmasi.

Selain berprestasi di SEA Games, timnas futsal juga mampu menjadi yang terbaik pada turnamen Piala AFF 2010. Vernart Hutabarat dkk mampu menjadi juara setelah mengalahkan Malaysia 5-0 di Vietnam.

Persiapan timnas futsal untuk SEA Games 2011 terus bergulir. Bahkan seluruh pemain terbaik dan tim ofisialnya telah menjalani Diklat Pembentukan Karakter di Pusdikpassus Batujajar Bandung.

Diklat Pembentukan Karakter wajib dilakukan oleh atlet yang saat ini menjalani pelatnas di bawah koordinasi langsung oleh Satuan Pelaksana Program Indonesia Emas (Satlak PRIMA). (ant/lex)
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Results Wrap

Sorry, been tied up quite a bit the last couple of days, and not just with Asian Football Memorabilia, so here's a recap of recent results.

Noh Alam Shah hits four as Arema defeated PSPS 4-2 in front of a disappointing 9,000 + crowd. Them work afternoon games eh?

The old saying about a team that can't buy a win? Pelita Jaya have had one away win all season, Deltras had one home defeat. Bit of a family affair this one but Pelita Jaya won 2-0 with Safee Sali not scoring.

Inconsistent Sriwijaya beat Bontang 4-1 yesterday with goals from Budi Sudarsono, Ponaryo Astaman, Oktavianus Maniani and Jajang Maulyana; Indonesians all. Kenji scored for Bontang, his 12th of the season. Can you spot Kenji in this picture from his Albirex Niigata days?

In the Liga Primer Indonesia wins for Bogor Raya, Aceh United, Jakarta, Bintang Medan and Persebaya 1927 who temporarily take over at the top while Persema play Manado United today.

In the SLeague Home United lost their first home game of the season, losing 1-0 to champions Etoile, Theo Raymond scoring halfway through the second half. SAFFC beat Hougang United 2-1. SAFFC lead but Tampines have a game in hand.

Good day for champions Selangor in Malaysia Super League. They beat Perak 1-0 and Kelantan drew 0-0 with Sabah.

And So It Goes On

The Normalisation Committee set up by FIFA and mandated to smooth the transition of leadership at the PSSI is being accused of succumbing to the demands of a pro reform faction in breach of FIFA instructions.

To show what a cock up the whole thing is the pro reform have asked the NC to sign a letter overturning sanctions imposed by former PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid on players and coaches involved in the rebel Liga Primer Indonesia and three key members have refused to do so.

One NC member is refusing to quit if it continues to dance to the tune of the rebel PSSI members and not FIFA.

Nothing is ever simple in Indonesia. Instead of just letting the NC get on with their job, and surely both sides are working towards the same goal, people just feel the need to stick their size 9s in, presumably to stake a claim in any future leadership.

One More Site!

I'm delighted to announce that in response to absolutely nobody asking I have added one more site to my little corner of cyber space.

Asian Football Memorabilia is a look at some of the wacky and fascinating bits and pieces I have accumulated over the years since I started Jakarta Casual.

No text, it's just gonna be images of tickets, programmes, brochures and souvenirs from South East Asian clubs; a cornucopia of football memorabilia that has, as far as I'm aware, never previously been made available before in one place.

Just started yesterday, or was it this morning, keep checking 'cos I've got heaps to add!

The Jakarta Globe Column

My latest Jakarta Globe column...Persija looking at another lost season?

Hendrie Staying Put

Following on from my recent story about big name players on the move during the Liga Primer Indonesia transfer window in June I understand that former Villa man Lee Hendrie will not be one of those players.

Results 14/04

AFC Cup

Sriwijaya v Song Lam Nghe An 3-1 (Keith Kayamba, Thierry Gathuessi, Budi Sudarsono;Ngyuen) 5,200

Persipura v Chonburi 3-0 (Yustinus Pae, Titus John, Lukas Mandowen) 20,000

Indonesian teams lead their respective groups after a positive couple of results on home territory. A Chonburi fan's perspective of the defeat can be found here.

Indonesia Super League

Persib v Persisam 4-1

Persela v Pelita Jaya 1-1

SLeague

Woodlands Wellington v Geylang United 2-2 (Tatters, Alexio; Kim Jae Hong, OG)

7 "Venue" Ditargetkan Selesai 4 Bulan

Aloysius Gonsaga Angi Ebo
PALEMBANG, Kompas.com - Pembangunan tujuh lapangan pertandingan SEA Games XXVI 2011 ditargetkan dalam waktu empat bulan selesai. Pasalnya, pengerjaannya tidak membangun gedung besar.

Demikian yang disampaikan Kepala Dinas PU Cipta Karya Provinsi Sumatera Selatan, Rizal Abullah di Palembang, Rabu (13/4/11). Pihaknya menargetkan pembangunan tujuh venues SEA Games itu selesai empat bulan kemudian bila tidak terjadi hal prinsipil.

Dia mengatakan pembangunan venues SEA Games yang sebentar lagi dikerjakan itu hanya melaksanakan pembenahan lingkungan sekeliling sedangkan lapangannya tinggal memasang.

"Lapangan panjat tebing hanya pembenahan lokasi dan pemasangan dinding tempat atlet pertanding dan itu tidak terlalu lama," ujarnya.

Begitu juga arena sepatu roda, pihaknya hanya memperbaiki landasan dengan melaksanakan pengecoran sehingga empat bulan venues tersebut akan rampung. Karena itu, pihaknya menargetkan pembangunan lapangan SEA Games itu selesai empat bulan.

Menurut dia, tujuh venues SEA Games itu adalah sepatu roda, panjat tebing, SKI Air, voli pantai, pentaque, baseball dan sofball.

Sementara dana untuk pembangunan lapangan SEA Games telah dikucurkan melalui APBN sebesar Rp 50 miliar. Tetapi, lanjut dia, pembanguan venues tersebut perlu dukungan bersama sehingga pengerjaannya berjalan lancar.

Bila fasilitas pesta olahraga se-Asia Tenggara tersebut rampung tepat waktu maka venues SEA Games itu akan diujicoba.

Sebelumnya, Panitia Daerah Bidang Pertandingan SEA Games, Djumadin Syafril, mengatakan semua cabang olahraga yang dipertandingkan pada SEA Games nanti akan diujicoba. Uji coba fasilitas SEA Games itu untuk mengetahui kelayakan venues tersebut apakah sudah memenuhi standar dalam pertandingan pesta olahraga akbar mendatang.
Sumber :
ANT

SFC Siap Pertahankan Posisi Puncak

Aksi pemain Sriwijaya FC, Okto Maniani, mengocek bola. Foto: Dok.JPNN
PALEMBANG-Sriwijaya FC sudah siap seratus persen hadapi Song Lam Nghe An (Vietnam) pada laga lanjutan AFC Cup Grup F, di Stadion Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring, nanti sore, (13/4). Ini setelah peforma Sriwijaya FC sedang dalam puncaknya, usai sukses menahan 1-1 dari tuan rumah Arema FC, (27/3). Disusul menang 3-1 atas Persisam Putra Samarinda, (9/4) pada laga Indonesia Super League (ISL). Kepercayaan lain, setelah membungkam tuan rumah TSW Pegasus (Hongkong) dengan skor 2-1, pada laga ke-2 AFC Cup grup F, (15/3) lalu.

Dengan kesuksesan itu, Laskar Wong Kito (julukan Sriwijaya FC) langsung menjadi pemuncak klasemen sementara grup F, AFC Cup, dengan mengoleksi 4 poin dari 2 laga yang telah dijalani. Namun itu rentan tergeser oleh para rivalnya. Termasuk tim yang bakal dihadapi, Song Lam Nghe An yang menempel di peringkat kedua dengan 3 poin dari 2 laga dan TSW Pegasus yang juga mengoleksi 3 poin.

Sebab, bila Sriwijaya gagal memetik poin pada laga ketiga, posisi capolista bakal diambil alih. Song Lam sendiri bakal bertengger bila sukses menumbangkan Sriwijaya. Ancaman lebih besar datang dari peringkat ketiga TSW Pegasus. Sebab, tim yang dihadapi merupakan juru kunci, VB Sport (13/4). Praktis, kans TSW Pegasus juga mempunyai kans untuk menggeser Sriwijaya di puncak klasemen.

"Semua tim grup F ini sama. Mereka saling mengalahkan. Seperti Sriwijaya mampu mengalahkan Pegasus. Pegasus mengalahkan Song Lam, dan Song Lam mengalahkan VB Spor. Jadi, kami tidak boleh lengah dan harus menang dipertandingan nanti agar tetap berada di puncak klasemen," kata pelatih Sriwijaya FC, Ivan Kolev, di Hotel Aryadutha Palembang.

Meski demikian, kans Sriwijaya untuk mempertahankan takhtanya terbuka lebar. Mengingat, tim juara double winner 2007 itu bakal mendapat dukungan langsung suporter fanatiknya. Jelas, hal itu bakal mendongkrak motivasi Keith Kayamba Gumbs dkk untuk memetik poin penuh.

Bukan hanya itu, hadirnya beberapa pilar penting juga bakal memperbaiki komposisi Laskar Sriwijaya. Seperti, menanjaknya peforma pemain kunci yang baru sembuh dari cedera. Yakni, Firman Utina, Ponaryo Astaman dan Muhammad Ridwan.

Sriwijaya juga bakal mendapat suntikan dari kiper utamanya Ferry Rotinsulu yang sebelumnya dinyatakan akumulasi kartu juga siap tempur. Mengingat kartu pada laga playoff Liga Champion Asia (LCA) lawan AL-Ain lalu dihapus.

Kekuatan tim juara Piala Indonesia tiga kali itu juga bakal memuncak. Lantaran tiga pemain asingnya siap tempur. Seperti, Thierry Gathuessi, Claudiano Alves Do Santos, dan Keith Kayamba Gumsb. Ini jauh lebih baik dibandingkan Song Lam Nghe An. Tim asal Vietnam itu datang ke Palembang hanya dengan 15 pemain. Dan hanya membawa satu pemain asing asal Kamerun, Thierry.

"Kondisi pemain sekarang sedang dalam baik. Meski ada beberapa pemain yang tak bisa diturunkan atau cedera, kami akan memaksimalkan pemain yang ada. Mudah-mudahan tidak ada masalah dipertandingan nanti," lanjut mantan arsitek Timnas Indonesia itu.

Sementara, Song Lam membawa optimisme tinggi. Tak terkalahkan dalam lima laga terakhir menjadi modal tersendiri bagi skuadra Nguyen Huu Tang. Terlebih, pada laga terakhir di AFC Cup grup F, Song Lam mampu mengalahkan tuan rumah VB Sport dengan skor 3-1, Selasa (15/3) lalu. Praktis, pada laga away keduanya, Song Lam berharap mengulang kesusksesan itu.

"Kami datang ke sini untuk menang. Kepercayaan diri kami sedang tinggi setelah sukses memuncaki klasemen Super Liga Vietnam. Kami juga sukses pada away perdana grup F. Mudah-mudahan kami bisa kembali mendapat poin," ungkap pelatih Song Lam Nghe An, Nguyen Huu Tang.

"Kami datang kesini dengan 15 pemain satu diantaranya pemain asing. Mereka rata-rata pemain senior di Vietnam. Jadi, kami akan memberikan permainan menarik dan menghibur masyarakat Palembang," tambahnya. (mg43)

Perkiraan Pemain Sriwijaya FC v Song Lam Nghe An

Sriwijaya FC: 4-5-1
Pemain: Ferry (K); Ridwan, Diano, Thierry, Supardi (B); Kayamba, Mahyadi, Firman, Ponaryo, Okto (T); Budi Sudarsono (D)
Pelatih: Ivan Venkov Kolev
Kostum: Kuning-Kuning

Song Lam Nghe An: 4-4-2
Pemain: Cuong Quoc (K); Van Hoan, N Thierry, Huy Hoang, Tuan Quoc (B);
Dong Dinh, Van Binh, Hoang Tinh Ngo, Quang Thinh (T); Hoang Trong, Ngoc Anh (D)
Pelatih: Nguyen Huu Tang
Kostum: Putih-putih

Stadion: Gelora Sriwijaya Jakabaring Palembang
Wasit: Ko Hyung Jin (KOR)

Persija Larang RD Gabung Timnas

Fokus di ISL

Rahmad Darmawan. Foto: Dok.JPNN
JAKARTA- Keinginan Badan Tim Nasional (BTN) mengontrak Rahmad Darmawan sebagai pelatih timnas U-23 proyeksi SEA Games menemui jalan terjal. Manajemen Persija Jakarta, klub yang dilatih Rahmad terang-terangan menolak tawaran yang diajukan BTN tersebut.

Alasannya, Persija masih membutuhkan tenaga RD, sapaan karib Rahmad untuk mengarungi sisa kompetisi Indonesia Super League (ISL) 2010/2011. Apalagi, saat ini Persija masih terpuruk di peringkat keempat klasemen sementara.

"Kami ingin mencapai target peringkat kedua klasemen akhir nanti. Soalnya untuk menjadi juara sudah sanat berat. Karena itu, kami mutlak membutuhkan tangan besi seperti RD," ucap Beni Erwin, asisten manajer Persija kemarin (12/4).

Beni menambahkan, jajaran asisten pelatih dianggap belum mumpuni untuk memenuhi target tersebut. Karenanya mereka tetap akan mempertahankan RD hingga kompetisi ISL usai.

Namun lain cerita jika kompetisi telah kelar. Mereka mengisyaratkan bakal mengijinkan RD untuk menahkodai timnas karena tak akan mengganggu internal tim berjuluk Macan Kemayoran tersebut.

"Kalau sekarang harus bergabung di Pelatnas lalu RD mesti ke luar negeri, tentu akan sangat memberatkan bagi kami. Karena itu kami memilih tak mengijinkannya," imbuh Beni.

Kondisi itu memaksa BTN berpikir keras untuk menggaet RD. Mereka menyatakan akan melakukan lobi terhadap mantan pelatih Persipura Jayapura serta Sriwijaya FC Palembang tersebut. "Kami akan melobi bersama Satlak Prima untuk bisa membantu Merah Putih. Kami akan coba diskusikan dengan RD soal TC Pelatnas," ucap Iman Arif, direktur teknik BTN.

Jika RD bermasalah, lain dengan Aji Santoso. Kubu Persebaya 1927 menyatakan legowo melepas Aji menahkodai Timnas U-23. Mereka tak khawatir jika antinya Persebaya bakal terjun bebas setelah ditinggal mantan pelatih Persema Malan tersebut.

"Kami akan mencari pelatih asing untuk anak-anak. Kami memang harus berkorban demi bangsa. Tidak apa-apa. Masih ada pelatih lain," ucap Saleh Ismail Mukadar, komisaris utama Persebaya 1927. (ru)

Results 13/04

AFC Cup

Hanoi T&T v Tampines Rovers 1-1 (;Aleksander Duric)

Muang Thong United v Victory 1-0 (Teerasil Dangda) 6,290

Indonesia Super League

Deltras v Semen Padang 0-3 (Edward Wilson Junior 3) 4,000

Divisi Utama

PSMS v Persiraja 2-0 (Vagner Luis, Gaston Castano) 15,121

Persebaya v Persidafon 1-0 (Charles Orock) 1,331

SLeague

Tanjong Pagar United v Balestier Khalsa 0-1 (Paul Cunningham) 799

Malaysia Super League

Negeri Sembilan v Kedah 2-0

Pahang v Johor FC 0-0

Harimau Muda A v KL 1-0

T Team v Terengganu 0-1

Felda United v Selangor 0-1

Perak v Kelantan 4-0

Sabah v Perlis 2-2

Persiraja Team Bus Attacked

Persiraja were beaten 2-0 by PSMS in Medan last night in front of crowd of 15,121. The home team's goals came from Vagner Luis and Gaston Castano.

However, after the game, as the Persiraja team were returning to their hotel, their bus attacked by rock throwing PSMS fans leaving four players with head wounds including captain Abdul Musawir.

PSMS fans later apologised on Twitter.

UPDATE - eyewitness account from one of the people on the Persiraja bus at the time when asked was it scary. Interview was done by sms.

Yes, very scary because from the stadium to the hotel they followed us. We couldn't stop at the hotel, the driver took us to the police station. The bus windows all gone, two people injured, they had to call for back up.

The Jakarta Globe Column

Today's looks at Persipura's AFC Cup tie with Chonburi. Check it out on The Jakarta Globe!

Medan Chiefs Coaching Vacancy

RECRUITMENT FOR: MEDAN CHIEFS HEAD COACH

Company Description

MEDAN CHIEFS FC is one of the leading professional football clubs playing in the Indonesian Premier League (LPI) 2011. Based in Medan (North Sumatra), Medan Chiefs uses Boerhanuddin Siregar Stadium (Lubuk Pakam Deli Serdang) as its home ground.

Urgently Required:

Now we are looking for a dynamic and highly motivated people to be a part of our team in Medan. Our working environment offers opportunities to grow and develop, enabling you to thrive and achieve your maximum potential in some following positions:

Location:
Indonesia, Medan

Job Title:
Head Coach (HC)

The Head Coach must be familiar with modern football. He is not only a tactician but also a trainer. The head coach must be able to design a training program which will improve skills and able to train the players personally.

Responsibilities:

1. To prepare periodical training programs and schedules for the season (a daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal programs);

2. To hold a monthly meeting with the management and coaches and to write a report covering the individual, skill, technical and physical development of the players;

3. To perform a post-match evaluation within 36 hours of the last game. The resulting analysis shall be included the training in the running week;

4. To devise a training program for non-playing (or non-starting) players;

5. To seek the management’s approval for activities incurring the use of funds;

6. To be willing to bring a maximum of 23 people including the doctor in each away delegation;

7. To collect at least 1 win in every 3 game;

8. CEO has the right to at anytime intervene to the coaches and the players, if deemed necessary.

9.

Required Qualifications:

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

· Detailed and service minded, and aware in football issues

· Ability to self-manage – time, schedules, multiple task activity requirements

· Ability to work under continual deadline

· Ability to work well with others

· Willing to be located in Medan

Benefits

Salary plus allowances, incentive, medical, insurance.

We will offer a unique opportunity for career development, sensible benefits package and a great working environment that supports your development and recognizes your achievement.

Please submit your completed resume or curriculum vitae, contact number not more than 2 (two) weeks after this advertisement.

COMMENT - no coaching badges needed? Full details on Medan Chiefs website...I'm not a bloody employment agency...