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Fight for Survival Down to the Wire
Wimbo Satwiko | May 28, 2010

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With the championship already settled, the Indonesian Super League turns its attention to the teams fighting for survival.

Persela Lamongan, Bontang FC, Persebaya Surabaya, Pelita Jaya and Persik Kediri are ranked 13th to 17th in the standings, and they enter the weekend’s matches with one thing in mind: avoid being relegated to next season’s Premier Division.

With last place Persitara North Jakarta assured of demotion, the teams that finish 16th and 17th will be automatically relegated. The 15th-placed club will figure in a playoff against the no.4 team in the Premier Division.

Persela travels to Pelita Jaya on Sunday needing only a draw to remain in the Super League. However, Pelita has to win if it wants to finish at least 15th and qualify for the playoff.

In other matches, Persebaya visits Bontang, while Persisam Samarinda hosts a Persik side that received a boost from a recent ruling by the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI).

On Thursday, the association’s appeals committee overturned a decision by the disciplinary committee, which had slapped Persik with a forfeiture for failing to hold a home game against Persebaya on April 29.

Persik appealed the decision and was given a favorable ruling this time.

“We overruled the verdict because it was not the fault of Persik’s organizers. It was because of the police,” appeals committee chairman Rusdi Taher said, adding that the Persik-Persebaya match will be rescheduled.

The decision did not sit well with Persija Jakarta officials, whose club was also slapped with a forfeiture because it failed to secure a permit from police for a match against Persiwa Wamena.

Persija assistant manager Ferry Indrasjarief questioned the appeals committee’s inconsistency.

“We sent a letter to PSSI chairman Nurdin Halid asking to repeal the forfeiture, and he told us we should direct the matter to the appeals committee. But [the committee] said such a ruling cannot be overturned,” Ferry said. “It was confusing, so we didn’t bother to go on with our appeal.”

Upon learning about the PSSI’s verdict, PT Liga Indonesia would have to fix the league’s calendar again, especially since the relegation playoff match has already been scheduled for June 4.

PTLI chief executive Joko Driyono said it would wait for a formal letter from the appeals committee before making any decisions.

Even if Persik wins its two remaining matches, the most realistic scenario for the club is to finish 15th and book a playoff place. For Persebaya, it has to win its last two games to stay in the Super League.

Also on Sunday, newly crowned Super League champion Arema Malang will take on Persija Jakarta at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.