Thursday, November 26, 2009
Lonely weekend for East Java powerhouses
Arema and Persebaya are two of the biggest teams in the country with a support to match and both have started the season positively.
Ordinarily a trip to Jakarta would see them folowed by several thousand fans but not this weekend.
Saturday sees Arema take on Persitara at the Soemantri Brojonegoro Stadium knowing that officials are limiting their following to a miserly 100. Fact is the stadium is poorly equipped for entrances with home fans having to acess their terrace by walking in front of the away support which has all the makings of a recipe for disaster.
Last time out Persebaya had a few dozen fans, known as Bonek, cheering them on and it is fortunate that both sets of fans weren't up for it though things could have turned ugly when the home fans were not allowed to leave early.
On Sunday we have Persija play Persebaya at the Bung Karno Stadium and the Surabaya team go into the game knowing tha officially they will be allowed no travelling support. Of course fans may make the journey west but they have been advised not to wear club colours and to 'look after themselves'.
Ordinarily a trip to Jakarta would see them folowed by several thousand fans but not this weekend.
Saturday sees Arema take on Persitara at the Soemantri Brojonegoro Stadium knowing that officials are limiting their following to a miserly 100. Fact is the stadium is poorly equipped for entrances with home fans having to acess their terrace by walking in front of the away support which has all the makings of a recipe for disaster.
Last time out Persebaya had a few dozen fans, known as Bonek, cheering them on and it is fortunate that both sets of fans weren't up for it though things could have turned ugly when the home fans were not allowed to leave early.
On Sunday we have Persija play Persebaya at the Bung Karno Stadium and the Surabaya team go into the game knowing tha officially they will be allowed no travelling support. Of course fans may make the journey west but they have been advised not to wear club colours and to 'look after themselves'.
# posted by Me @ 4:19 PM 
