Saturday, April 29, 2006
Weekend Preview
A quiet weekend domestically with a couple of local derbies to tempt local fans but the big game is in the Central Java city of Semarang where the Blues host Jakarta. This is the proverbial crucial game for both sides with Semarang still holding onto top place and, rather implausibly, Jakarta sitting 3rd, just one point behind though having played two games for. Oh, how they must be ruing those spurned chances against Jakarta North in midweek.
But while Jakarta may have problems hitting the back of the net, 15 goals in 17 games, they do boast the best away record in the Western Division so they will be traveling to Semarang with some degree of confidence. 15 of their 27 points have been picked up on their travels including 4 wins out of 9. Semarang on the other hand are a tough nut to crack at their Jatidiri stadium with just one team taking all three points this season.
I’m off to Semarang later today for the game so don’t forget to check out this blog on Sunday, when I get back, for probably the only write up in English! Tomorrow sees Jepara host Tangerang City and while I would love to make it a double header in Central Java I have an early flight back. Don’t forget also to check out http://www.the-spiceislands.com for some images of Semarang later on Sunday.
Another midweek derby was at Benteng Stadium where Tangerang City hosted Tangerang and the visitors took the 3 points with a 1-0 victory in front of 20,000 fans, incidentally the Jakarta derby was played out in front of 12,000.
Elsewhere in North Sumatra Medan visit Deli Serdang in the Northern Derby and Medan need a return to winning ways if they are to stay in touch with the leading pack. While they are 4th and only 3 points behind Semarang they have been shipping points on the road and this worrying trend needs to be halted if they are to avoid being overhauled by Pasuaruan Town or Sriwijaya.
In Northern Sulawesi another derby, this time in the Eastern Division sees Minhasa go at it with Persibom. Minhasa have the chance to go top as Kediri’s season seems to go tits up. A midweek defeat to Pupuk Kaltim means they are on level on points with Minhasa and not looking as invincible as earlier in the season. I blame the purple shirts.
But while Jakarta may have problems hitting the back of the net, 15 goals in 17 games, they do boast the best away record in the Western Division so they will be traveling to Semarang with some degree of confidence. 15 of their 27 points have been picked up on their travels including 4 wins out of 9. Semarang on the other hand are a tough nut to crack at their Jatidiri stadium with just one team taking all three points this season.
I’m off to Semarang later today for the game so don’t forget to check out this blog on Sunday, when I get back, for probably the only write up in English! Tomorrow sees Jepara host Tangerang City and while I would love to make it a double header in Central Java I have an early flight back. Don’t forget also to check out http://www.the-spiceislands.com for some images of Semarang later on Sunday.
Another midweek derby was at Benteng Stadium where Tangerang City hosted Tangerang and the visitors took the 3 points with a 1-0 victory in front of 20,000 fans, incidentally the Jakarta derby was played out in front of 12,000.
Elsewhere in North Sumatra Medan visit Deli Serdang in the Northern Derby and Medan need a return to winning ways if they are to stay in touch with the leading pack. While they are 4th and only 3 points behind Semarang they have been shipping points on the road and this worrying trend needs to be halted if they are to avoid being overhauled by Pasuaruan Town or Sriwijaya.
In Northern Sulawesi another derby, this time in the Eastern Division sees Minhasa go at it with Persibom. Minhasa have the chance to go top as Kediri’s season seems to go tits up. A midweek defeat to Pupuk Kaltim means they are on level on points with Minhasa and not looking as invincible as earlier in the season. I blame the purple shirts.
# posted by Me @ 5:21 AM 
