AC Milan to 'teach' Persib

AC Milan to 'teach' Persib
for sure game next month

JAKARTA (JP): Local soccer fans will be in for another rare
treat when the star-studded European club AC Milan graces Senayan
stadium here for a friendly match with Persib Bandung, this
year's winner of the national inter-city amateur championship.

"It's been confirmed that the European 'dream team' will meet
Persib on June 4," Agum Gumelar, amateur league administrator of
the All Indonesia Football Association (PSSI), told a press
conference here yesterday.

The Italian soccer giant, European champion three years
running, will arrive in Jakarta on May 31. Indonesia will be the
first Asian stop on its Summer Tour 1994 following the Central
American leg.

On May 8 Sampdoria, the Italian Cup holder, treated Senayan
soccer fans to an afternoon of high quality soccer when
Lomabrado, David Platt and company played Indonesia's Liga
Selection in a friendly match won by the Italians 3-2.

Agum said that AC Milan, which is owned by Prime Minister
Silvio Berlusconi, will not field its players who were selected
to don their national colors at next month's World Cup in the
United States.

The Italian team, however, will feature its other stars
including Croatian Zvonmir Boban and Rumanian Florin Raducioiu.

"Marco van Basten, who is still nursing an injury, might also
make the trip to Jakarta," said Eddy Sofyan, a former national
soccer coach who will jointly sponsor the event with the
Republika daily.

He added that the Rp 1 billion (US$457 million) event will be
broadcast live by Italian television and RCTI.

Agum said that Persib Bandung will feature the same line-up
which won the inter-city championship. "I expect a high-quality
match," he added.

AC Milan is scheduled to leave Indonesia on June 6 to continue
its Asian tour in India, China and Japan. (hdj)