Thursday, October 25, 2012
IPL Play Offs
Next month will finally see closure on the Indonesia Premier
League, it ended back in July, when the final play offs will decide which teams
will compete in the official top flight next year.
For those who have forgotten Semen Padang were the first
ever winners of the IPL in its second season; the first season went on a mid
season break and never returned while PSMS were relegated to Divisi Utama.
The three teams that finished top of their respective Divisi
Utama regional divisions were automatically promoted; Pro Duta, Persepar
Palangkarya and Perseman Manokwari.
Last season’s IPL featured 12 teams. With one down and three
promoted so far that makes, um, 14. The IPL hope to have 16 teams next season
so the teams that finished second in their respective divisions will go into a
play off with Bontang, who finished 11th in the IPL with the top two
joining the top flight.
The play offs, to be played in either Medan or Manado during
the AFF Cup, see Bontang joined by PSLS, PSIR and Persebul Buol.
None of this is fixed in stone. IPL champions Semen Padang
have asked to join the ISL, which no doubt would see them precluded from
playing in the AFC Champions League, as have Persijap Jepara. If they were to
jump ship that would of course mean another two teams to join the IPL.
To add to the confusion Persija IPL have been told by the
courts they can no longer use the Persija name.
Anyone with enough sarnies to
make a picnic would have known this. Persija IPL were forced to play their home
games in Madiun because the fans of Persija ISL refused to accept them in
Jakarta. Apparently Persija IPL are appealing which proves the lengths people
go to when they have someone else’s money.
# posted by Me @ 5:19 PM 
