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Mourning Persib draws against archrival Persija
Peaceful match: Three fans whip up the enthusiasm of fellow members of Jakmania, as supporters of local soccer club Persija are known, during a match against archrival Bandung-based Persib at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday
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Peaceful match: Three fans whip up the enthusiasm of fellow members of Jakmania, as supporters of local soccer club Persija are known, during a match against archrival Bandung-based Persib at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday. The match passed off without serious incident. In 2012, three Persib fans were killed during clashes with Persija supporters. (JP/DON) (JP/DON)
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span class="caption">Peaceful match: Three fans whip up the enthusiasm of fellow members of Jakmania, as supporters of local soccer club Persija are known, during a match against archrival Bandung-based Persib at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Sunday. The match passed off without serious incident. In 2012, three Persib fans were killed during clashes with Persija supporters. (JP/DON)
Grieving Bandung-based soccer team Persib managed to secure a nil-all draw against its host and archrival Persija at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Sunday.
Just a day before the Indonesia Super League (ISL) match, Ayi Beutik, a leader of Persib's supporters who are known as the Vikings, died in a traffic accident in Bandung. The Jakmania (as supporters of Persija describe themselves) representation extended their sympathies to Persib over Ayi's death. Banners made by the Jakmania paying tribute to the fallen senior Viking were held aloft.
'Condolences on the passing of the Viking leader,' read a large banner displayed by Persija supporters at the packed stadium. Tens of thousands of spectators attended the match.
'May he rest in peace,' said Persija fan coordinator Larico Ranggamone before the match.
The Vikings and the Jakmania have had a history of violent confrontations. In a previous meeting in May 2012, three Persib supporters were killed in post-match brawls. Police detained three people for possession of offensive weapons following a Persija-Persib game in 2010. During a trial match in Bogor the same year, Jakmania and Vikings members clashed, with three Vikings suffering serious injuries.
Because of the bitter rivalry between the two sides, matches are often canceled, delayed or moved to neutral venues. Supporters of the two clubs publicly called for a truce in April, signing a peace treaty in Bogor to end their mutual hostilities, overseen by the Bogor Police.
The Jakarta Police eventually allowed the match between the two clubs to go ahead on Sunday with the severe restriction that no Persib supporters were permitted to attend.
Police guarded the Cipularang toll road to ensure that no fans from Bandung sneaked into the Jakarta stadium. Police also deployed nearly 2,000 personnel, three water-cannon units and a Barracuda armored vehicle.
'I hope in the future, we will be able to visit each other's turf safely,' Persija's Larico said with regard to the Vikings ban.
No violent incidents were reported after tens of thousands of Persija supporters descended on Gelora Bung Karno for the 3:30 pm kick-off, and the match passed off peacefully.
The Jakmania was out in full force and attire, with supporters young and old draped in the club's trademark color transforming the stadium into a sea of orange.
The match organizing committee had cooperated with the police in order to prevent any untoward incidents.
'Around 1860 police officers were deployed, along with an extra 160 internal safety officers,' Persija match organizing committee head Hanifditya said on Sunday as quoted by tribunnews.com.
As well as the messages of condolence for Ayi, signs of willingness to bury the hatchet were evident among individual supporters.
'We're tired of fighting, let's just be at peace. Glory to Persija and the Jakmania!' said Otong, a 19-year-old Jakmania member, as he left the stadium on Sunday. (dyl)
