Thursday, September 03, 2015
President Cup 2015
After a hiatus forced upon the game by ongoing disputes between the football association and the
government, the beautiful game is taking its first tentatitve steps back to normalcy. At least as far as
the local fan is concerned.
government, the beautiful game is taking its first tentatitve steps back to normalcy. At least as far as
the local fan is concerned.
The Independence Cup has been up and running for a couple of weeks now and features teams that
have been competing in the second tier Divisi Utama in recent seasons while the President’s Cup offers
the big boys from the Indonesia Super League the opportunity to stretch their rusty limbs after the long
break.
have been competing in the second tier Divisi Utama in recent seasons while the President’s Cup offers
the big boys from the Indonesia Super League the opportunity to stretch their rusty limbs after the long
break.
The President’s Cup features 16 teams split into four groups based in Bandung, Malang, Bali and
Makassar and kicked off Sunday with hosts Bali United Pusam taking on Persija Jakarta while Mitra
Kukar play Persita Tangerang at the same venue in Group C.
Makassar and kicked off Sunday with hosts Bali United Pusam taking on Persija Jakarta while Mitra
Kukar play Persita Tangerang at the same venue in Group C.
Group A will see its games played at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium near Bandung and as well as the home
side Persib, ISL champions in 2014, Persebaya Surabaya United, Persiba Balikpapan and Martapura
will also be looking to reach the next stage of the competition.
side Persib, ISL champions in 2014, Persebaya Surabaya United, Persiba Balikpapan and Martapura
will also be looking to reach the next stage of the competition.
In East Java, Arema play hosts to Persela Lamongan, PSGC Ciamis and Sriwijaya Palembang while
Makassar is the base for PSM Makassar, Persipasi Bekasi Raya, Gresik United and Pusamania Borneo.
Makassar is the base for PSM Makassar, Persipasi Bekasi Raya, Gresik United and Pusamania Borneo.
Eagle eyed readers may notice the absence of a number of ISL clubs with Persipura Jayapura, Perseru
Seru, Persiram Raja Ampat and Semen Padang deciding not to join.
Seru, Persiram Raja Ampat and Semen Padang deciding not to join.
Officials are hoping the ISL itself will kick off in October with the 18 teams that started the last
campaign before it was summarily halted but for this particular competition have allowed a certain
amount of movement for players between clubs. For example, Persija have picked up Liberian striker
James Koko Lommel from Persiram and fellow striker Nur Iskander from Semen Padang while Persib
have added Indonesian international Zulham Zumrun to their already formidable squad.
campaign before it was summarily halted but for this particular competition have allowed a certain
amount of movement for players between clubs. For example, Persija have picked up Liberian striker
James Koko Lommel from Persiram and fellow striker Nur Iskander from Semen Padang while Persib
have added Indonesian international Zulham Zumrun to their already formidable squad.
Persib have also welcomed back their inspirational Montenegran duo, defender Vladimir Vujovic and
new striker Ilija Spasojevic as well as their attacking midfielder Makan Konate and they are hoping the
familiar names who played such a role in lifting their first ever ISL title last season will encourage their
support to fill the stadium in Soreang.
new striker Ilija Spasojevic as well as their attacking midfielder Makan Konate and they are hoping the
familiar names who played such a role in lifting their first ever ISL title last season will encourage their
support to fill the stadium in Soreang.
The key game, at least from the fans’ point of view, will be on Thursday when Persib take on rebranded
Persebaya United. The name has come about as the club continue to be at the heart of a dispute that lies
at the heart of the current rift between the football association (PSSI), the government and FIFA.
Persebaya United. The name has come about as the club continue to be at the heart of a dispute that lies
at the heart of the current rift between the football association (PSSI), the government and FIFA.
There are two groups claiming to represent Persebaya, a historic name in local football circles, but the
fans are claiming the current incarnation are little more than a club from East Kalimantan parachuted in
by the owners to keep the name alive; the fans, known as Bonek, pledge allegience to Persebaya 1927
and have been boycotting the ISL team and are unimpressed by the notion of Persebaya United.
fans are claiming the current incarnation are little more than a club from East Kalimantan parachuted in
by the owners to keep the name alive; the fans, known as Bonek, pledge allegience to Persebaya 1927
and have been boycotting the ISL team and are unimpressed by the notion of Persebaya United.
Confusing stuff but there is a close affinity between the fans of Persib and Persebaya and the players
from Surabaya can expect to see more fans wearing green on match days in Bandung than they ever do
in their own home ground!
from Surabaya can expect to see more fans wearing green on match days in Bandung than they ever do
in their own home ground!
While many clubs have been sitting around during the long break twiddling their thumbs and waiting
for someone else to do something, Bali United have been keeping a high profile with the players and
coaching staff involved in a number of clinics and out reach programmes to keep the name of the club
out there.
for someone else to do something, Bali United have been keeping a high profile with the players and
coaching staff involved in a number of clinics and out reach programmes to keep the name of the club
out there.
This professional approach from the club’s owners is paying off with Bali getting to host not just one
of the groups but also the opening tie, the high profile clash with Persija with a large crowd expected at
Dipta Stadium in Gianyar.
of the groups but also the opening tie, the high profile clash with Persija with a large crowd expected at
Dipta Stadium in Gianyar.
Indonesian football is forever in a state of flux and perhaps nowhere is this more evident than Makassar.
The home town heroes PSM are celebrating their 100th anniversary marking them as the oldest football
club in the country. However joining them in the group are Persipasi Bekasi Raya who have had more
name changes than Manchester United have had away shirts, Gresik United who came about because of
merger between two sides and Pusamania Borneo who share the same roots as Bali United Pusam.
Long story!
The home town heroes PSM are celebrating their 100th anniversary marking them as the oldest football
club in the country. However joining them in the group are Persipasi Bekasi Raya who have had more
name changes than Manchester United have had away shirts, Gresik United who came about because of
merger between two sides and Pusamania Borneo who share the same roots as Bali United Pusam.
Long story!
Each new season brings its new confusions and controversies and this pre season competition is no
different. But football is back and fans across the country will be hoping the President’s Cup can go
off without a hitch and pave the way for a return of the real stuff, the ISL, later in the year.
different. But football is back and fans across the country will be hoping the President’s Cup can go
off without a hitch and pave the way for a return of the real stuff, the ISL, later in the year.