BATTLING THROUGH: Persipura’s Heru Nerly (left) battles for the ball with Gustavo R. Chena of PSMS during their semifinal match at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Wednesday. PSMS went through to the final ... (JP/Ricky Yudhistira

Sriwijaya FC of Palembang, South Sumatra, hopes to add to its Copa trophy after making the final of the Djarum Indonesian League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Persija Jakarta during a semifinal round Wednesday marred by the death of a supporter.

Sriwijaya head coach Rahmad Darmawan said after the match he told his players they would have to play better against PSMS Medan in the final.

"Sure, I want my team to win and become a double champion," Rahmad said after the match at Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta.

Sriwijaya, also known as Laskar Wong Kito (Our People's Warriors), won the Copa Dji Sam Soe last month, beating Persipura Jayapura in the final

Persipura failed to reach the league final, losing to PSMS 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

One person was killed in a clash between Persipura and Persija supporters following the semifinal matches.

The league final was scheduled for Sunday, but officials cast doubt over whether the game would be held as scheduled following the violence.

Rahmad said the discipline of his players was the key to victory over the normally up-tempo Persija.

"We were committed to our own tactics to keep Persija players from gaining space, and kept the ball from their strikers.

"We stayed focused and were not influenced by the crowd. I already told my players not to contest the referee's calls," he said.

Sriwijaya scored the lone goal of the match through talented striker Keith Kayamba Gumbs in the 19th minute.

Persija head coach Isman Jasulmei said his team was unlucky not to win the match, saying his players wasted a rash of goal chances.

"Even though we dominated the game from the beginning with our attack, we were unlucky that we failed to score," said Isman.

He also said Robertino Pugliara and Agus Indra Kurniawan failed to play up to form.

"Some players were nervous for this match, while Sriwijaya played well and was very effective," he said.

Persija had a chance to equalize when it was awarded a penalty in the 25th minute. However, Agus Indra Kurniawan failed to take the chance, to the disappointment of most of the 30,000 people in attendance.

PSMS head coach Freddy Muli said after five previous meetings with Sriwijaya, his side was well acquainted with their playing style.

"We are ready for the match and ready to win," Freddy said.

The semifinal match between PSMS and Persipura went to a penalty shootout after the two sides played 120 minutes of scoreless soccer.

Saktiawan Sinaga, Legimin Raharjo, James Koko Lomell, Supandi, and Rommy Dias made good on their penalty shots for PSMS. Only Masperi Kasim missed.

Fore Persipura, Victor Igbonefo, Imanuel Wanggai, Bahtiar and Julien Mbom Mbom scored, while David Da Rocha and Ian Louis Kebes missed their chances.

Near the end of the Persipura-PSMS match, a number of Persija supporters began throwing plastic bottles at Persipura supporters.

The disturbance spilled over outside the stadium and a Persija fan was killed in the violence. (nkn)

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