Courtesy: The Jakarta Globe


Three New Clubs Join Title Chase in 2nd IFL Edition

by Wimbo Satwiko

Sporting three new clubs, the second season of the Indonesian Futsal League kicks off on Saturday.

The season’s first series runs through Monday at Gelora Bung Karno Basketball Hall in Jakarta. Eight clubs, including the three first-time participants, have confirmed they will take part. Each day’s play begins at 2 p.m.

The new sides are Hanggar IBM Jakarta, Jaya Kencana Jakarta and Mutiara Hitam West Papua.

Electric V-Sport PLN dominated the league in 2008, going undefeated in 12 matches en route to the title, but National Futsal Body vice chairman Jerico Umbas said a repeat would not be easy.

“In my opinion, all clubs are at the same playing level this season. That will build up the competition’s quality,” he said on Friday. “I’m quite happy because the Papuan clubs are starting to show their quality.”

Electric also lost some key players. Sayan Karmadi joined Hanggar IBM, and national team regular Jaelani Ladjanibi joined Dupiad Fak-Fak.

Electric technical director Justinus Lhaksana said a limited budget caused those departures.

“We wanted to re-sign them, but our budget is limited, so they left for another clubs,” said Justinus, who is also the national team head coach. “We have to build the team from the scratch.”

Electric opens its title defense on Saturday against Hanggar.

The IFL’s second series takes place May 12-19 in Bandung, with stops in Solo (June 18-21) and Yogyakarta (June 25-28) to follow.

IFL Series 1, Jakarta
Saturday: SWAP vs. Dupiad KNPI; Electric PLN V-Sport vs. Hanggar IBM; Biangbola vs. Mutiara Hitam; Pelindo II vs. Jaya Kencana Sunday: Mutiara Hitam vs. Electric PLN V-Sport; Jaya Kencana vs. Biangbola; Dupiad KNPI vs. Pelindo II; Hanggar IBM vs. SWAP Monday: Biangbola vs. Dupiad KNPI; Mutiara Hitam vs. Hanggar IBM; Pelindo II vs. SWAP; Electric PLN V-Sport vs. Jaya Kencana








Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com