AC Milan conquers Surabaya Selection despite heat

JAKARTA (JP): Treacherous heat and humidity failed to stop AC Milan from showing its mastery yesterday, as the European soccer giant obliterated local team Surabaya Selection 4-1 at the Gelora Tambaksari Stadium in the East Java capital of Surabaya.

Casting a shadow across the proceedings were the weekend's tragic events in Banyuwangi, East Java where hundreds lost their lives to earthquake-triggered tidal waves. A moment of silence was held before the opening whistle, and the visitors donated US$10,000 to the relief effort.

AC Milan, often dubbed the "Dream Team", started the friendly match aggressively, although it lost a bit of its spunk in the second half.

All the goals were created in the first half.

With effortless grace, forward Montenegran Dejan Savicevic scored the first goal two minutes after the opening kick-off, immediately sending ominous signs that another football massacre was afoot in Surabaya.

Savicevic also scored the fourth goal, which he delivered single-handedly, overpowering the entire defense of the home team.

Gianluigi Lentini, the world's most expensive footballer, and forward Paolo Baldieri were the other executioners on the star- studded European team.

The Surabaya team -- a blend of amateur and semi-professional local booters-- however, eventually proved to be a slightly more worthy prey for the three-time European champion than Persib Bandung, which was mercilessly devoured 8-0 in Jakarta on Saturday.

The Surabayans, unlike Persib, played tight defense, enough to prevent a storm of goals on their side, and even managed to fulfill their promise to find the net.

Of course, it happened from a penalty shot, after Captain Filippo Galli fouled Surabayan striker Agus Winarno.

Not overwhelmed by the thought that he was to join a select club of Indonesian booters who have gone home against a soccer super-power, forward Ibnu Graham executed smoothly.

Consequently, Ibnu won the Rp 3 million (US$1500) prize promised by Agum Gumelar, an official of the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI).

The AC Milan goal scorers, instead, were reportedly sick from sunstroke at the end of the game. Antara reported that Gianlugi Lentini was vomiting just before he was replaced.

The European stars representing million of dollars of investment, were rushed immediately to their hotel Patra Hilton Surabaya after the game.

It was only Saturday when the soccer giant's coach Fabio Capello proudly claimed that his squad could "overcome all weather conditions." (hdj)