Liga I Starts, Persib Versus Arema 0-0

JAKARTA, April 17 (Antara) - The soccer teams of Persib Bandung and Arema FC that emerged at the initial match of the Indonesian highest football competition level of Liga 1 (one) in Bandung, West Java, shared 0-0 score. The match was held at the Bandung Lautan Api (GBLA) stadium on Saturday evening. In the tough match, Arema squad threatened the defense of Persib in the 7th minute through Esteban Vizcarra's kick. But his shot hit the goalpost guarded by I Made Wirawan. Persib, which played before thousands of its supporters, also launched pressure against Arema. In the 9th minute, Persib through its player Shohei Matsunaga tried to penetrate the defense of Arema's wing and immediately managed to net a goal through Gian Zola's header. Unfortunately, the ball deviated over the crossbar of Kurnia Meiga. Persib's players consist of I Made Wirawan, Achmad Jufriyanto, Henhen Herdiana, Tony Sucipto, Vladimir Vujovic, Atep (C), Febri Hariyadi, Gian Zola, Hariono, Michael Essien, and Shohei Matsunaga. Arema's players comprise Kurnia Meiga, Arthur Da Rocha, Bagas Adi Nugroho, Hanif Sjahbandi, Jad Noureddine, Johan Ahmat Farizi (C), Adam Alis, Nasir, Syaiful Indra Cahya, and Christian Gonzales. A total of 18 soccer teams are participating in the Liga 1 competition. They are Arema FC, Bali United, Barito Putera, Bhayangkara FC, Persegres Gresik, Madura United, Mitra Kukar, Persela Lamongan, Perseru Serui, Persib Bandung, Persiba Balikpapan, Persija Jakarta, Persipura Jayapura, PS TNI, PSM Makassar, Pusamania Borneo, Semen Padang, and Sriwijaya FC. The All Indonesian Football Association has used the Liga 1 to replace the previous Indonesian Super League for the first level of the national soccer competition.