AC Milan conquers Surabaya Selection despite heat<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Treacherous heat and humidity failed to stop AC
\nMilan from showing its mastery yesterday, as the European soccer
\ngiant obliterated local team Surabaya Selection 4-1 at the Gelora
\nTambaksari Stadium in the East Java capital of Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Casting a shadow across the proceedings were the weekend's
\ntragic events in Banyuwangi, East Java where hundreds lost their
\nlives to earthquake-triggered tidal waves. A moment of silence
\nwas held before the opening whistle, and the visitors donated
\nUS$10,000 to the relief effort.<\/p>\n
AC Milan, often dubbed the \"Dream Team\", started the friendly
\nmatch aggressively, although it lost a bit of its spunk in the
\nsecond half.<\/p>\n
All the goals were created in the first half.<\/p>\n
With effortless grace, forward Montenegran Dejan Savicevic
\nscored the first goal two minutes after the opening kick-off,
\nimmediately sending ominous signs that another football massacre
\nwas afoot in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
Savicevic also scored the fourth goal, which he delivered
\nsingle-handedly, overpowering the entire defense of the home
\nteam.<\/p>\n
Gianluigi Lentini, the world's most expensive footballer, and
\nforward Paolo Baldieri were the other executioners on the star-
\nstudded European team.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya team -- a blend of amateur and semi-professional
\nlocal booters-- however, eventually proved to be a slightly more
\nworthy prey for the three-time European champion than Persib
\nBandung, which was mercilessly devoured 8-0 in Jakarta on
\nSaturday.<\/p>\n
The Surabayans, unlike Persib, played tight defense, enough to
\nprevent a storm of goals on their side, and even managed to
\nfulfill their promise to find the net.<\/p>\n
Of course, it happened from a penalty shot, after Captain
\nFilippo Galli fouled Surabayan striker Agus Winarno.<\/p>\n
Not overwhelmed by the thought that he was to join a select
\nclub of Indonesian booters who have gone home against a soccer
\nsuper-power, forward Ibnu Graham executed smoothly.<\/p>\n
Consequently, Ibnu won the Rp 3 million (US$1500) prize
\npromised by Agum Gumelar, an official of the All Indonesia
\nFootball Association (PSSI).<\/p>\n
The AC Milan goal scorers, instead, were reportedly sick from
\nsunstroke at the end of the game. Antara reported that Gianlugi
\nLentini was vomiting just before he was replaced.<\/p>\n
The European stars representing million of dollars of
\ninvestment, were rushed immediately to their hotel Patra Hilton
\nSurabaya after the game.<\/p>\n
It was only Saturday when the soccer giant's coach Fabio
\nCapello proudly claimed that his squad could \"overcome all
\nweather conditions.\" (hdj)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ac-milan-conquers-surabaya-selection-despite-heat-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}