Liga Indonesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Liga Indonesia is a league competition for Indonesian football clubs located at the top of the Indonesian football league system. Liga Indonesia is officially the Indonesian football league system itself, but more commonly used to refer to the league's premier division, Divisi Utama. Liga Indonesia is the top football competition of Indonesia.
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[edit] Overview
The top 28 football clubs, split into two divisions, in the Indonesian league system compete in Liga Indonesia. It was established in 1994, when the semi-professional Liga Sepakbola Utama (Galatama) and amateur competition Perserikatan merged to form the professional Liga Indonesia. Most of the players in the league are of Indonesian origin, however some international footballers do play in Liga Indonesia.
[edit] The competition
From the 1994-1995 to 2004-2005 season, Liga Indonesia's structure changed almost every year. For some seasons, there were two divisions within the top flight; for others, there were three. The number of clubs in the top flight wavered from 18-28, and seasons would last from 34-38 games. The top four clubs in each division qualified for a group stage "Final Eight Championship Playoff." Winners of the group faced off for the championship.
During the 2004-2005 season, 18 clubs comprised the Indonesian top flight. A season lasted 34 games, in which each club played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The three teams at the bottom of the table are relegated into Division Satu, the second level of the Indonesian league system, while the three teams of Division Satu that won promotion replace them. The top two finishers in the league qualify for the AFC Champions League.
Starting with the 2003-2004 season, the championship was decided a double round-robin league system involving the top clubs of each division. Beginning with the 2005-2006 season, 28 clubs will comprise Liga Indonesia. Clubs compete in two divisions of 14 clubs each. Each club plays against each other on a home-and-away basis.
The league's popularity has grown so much that the 2006-2007 season will see another big expansion of the league from 28 to 36 clubs with both divisions comprising 18 clubs each.
[edit] Sponsorship
Liga Indonesia has been sponsored since its inception in 1994. Sponsors determine the league's sponsorship name.
- 1994-1996: Dunhill (Liga Dunhill)
- 1997: Kansas (Liga Kansas)
- 1997-1999: No sponsor (Liga Indonesia)
- 1999-2004: Bank Mandiri (Liga Bank Mandiri)
- 2004-: Djarum (Liga Djarum Indonesia)
[edit] Notable Past Player
- Mario Kempes
- Roger Milla
- Emmanuel Maboang Kessack
[edit] Liga Indonesia Clubs, 2007
Wilayah Barat
Wilayah Timur
[edit] Past Liga Indonesia champions
| Season | Winner | Total wins* | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994-95 | Persib Bandung | 1 | Petrokimia Putra Gresik |
| 1995-96 | Bandung Raya | 1 | PSM Makassar |
| 1996-97 | Persebaya Surabaya | 1 | Bandung Raya |
| 1997-98 | Season unfinished | ||
| 1998-99 | PSIS Semarang | 1 | Persebaya Surabaya |
| 1999-2000 | PSM Makassar | 1 | PKT Bontang |
| 2000-01 | Persija Jakarta | 1 | PSM Makassar |
| 2001-02 | Petrokimia Putra Gresik | 1 | Persita Tangerang |
| 2002-03 | Persik Kediri | 1 | PSM Makassar |
| 2003-04 | Persebaya Surabaya | 2 | PSM Makassar |
| 2004-05 | Persipura Jayapura | 1 | Persija Jakarta |
| 2005-06 | Persik Kediri | 2 | PSIS Semarang |
[edit] External links
- (Indonesian) Liga Indonesia
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