Common sense wins the day at Suzuki Cup final

Indonesian supporters holding up a banner reading, 'Let's go, Garuda, let's win fairly, unlike Malaysia, the thief', prior to the second leg of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup final in Jakarta last night. Indonesia beat Malaysia 2-1, meaning that Malaysia took home the Cup with a total score of 4-2. Malaysia had won the first leg of the final on Sunday 3-0. -- PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

JAKARTA - THE big winner on and off the field at last night's heated football final between Indonesia and Malaysia was common sense.

The two teams squared off for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup before 10,000 policemen as well as 80,000 fans at the packed Gelora Bung Karno stadium in the Indonesian capital.

Malaysia had won the first leg of the final 3-0 in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. Yesterday, Indonesia beat Malaysia 2-1. That meant the visitors proudly took home the Suzuki Cup with an aggregate score of 4-2.

Yet peace reigned, thanks in no small part to the tough measures taken by the Indonesian government.

Officials set up five checkpoints in East Jakarta to frisk groups of fans for weapons, laser pointers and firecrackers.

'Don't worry, no laser today, pak,' said one fan, teasing a policeman.

sumber : http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_618918.html

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