Kurniawan to join team for Asia Cup

Kurniawan to join team for Asia Cup

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's international striker Kurniawan Dwi
Yulianto has finally received the call to play in the Asia Cup
warm-up match against the Italian side Sampdoria in Medan, North
Sumatra on June 4.

National team manager Danurwindo told a press conference
yesterday that the international friendly, one of four warm-ups
for the Cup finals in Dubai from Dec. 2 to Dec. 16., will serve
as a final trial before he names his 18-man squad.

Kurniawan is Indonesia's first exported player and has been
linked with Jakarta's club Pelita Jaya after finishing his
contract with the Swiss premiership side Lucerne. He was one of
four new entrants in Danurwindo's line-up.

In addition to Kurniawan, Widodo Cahyo Putra, Sugiantoro and
veteran Robby Darwis were late additions to the team. The last
three received their calls after playing in the friendly against
another Italian giant, Lazio, on Sunday.

"Kurniawan is expected to familiarize himself with the team as
early as possible prior to the finals," Danurwindo said.

Kurniawan played an instrumental role in Indonesia's triumph
in the Asia Cup qualifying matches in Kuala Lumpur last February.

Danurwindo also picked most of the players who made up the
All-Stars team in Sunday's match won by Lazio 6-2, for
Sampdoria's challenge.

They are goalkeepers Kurnia Sandy and Sumardi, defenders Robby
Darwis, Aples Gideon Tecuari, Nuralim, wingers Aji Santoso, Anang
Ma'ruf, midfielders Ansyari Lubis, Fachry Husaini, Ery Irianto
Ramdar and Kris Yarangga, and forwards Rocky Puttiray and Peri
Sandria.

Danurwindo said that his men had learned a lot from the
drubbing by Lazio.

"Sampdoria is of the same level as Lazio. I hope I can arrange
a perfect formation to match Sampdoria," he said.

"The team is subject to changes, because we are looking for
the best line-up," Danurwindo said.

Danurwindo said he would announce his team for the Asia Cup in
August after another two international matches, against Australia
scheduled for between July 8 and 12, and Japan, hopefully on Aug.
28 here. The Indonesian team will complete its Asia Cup warm-up
in the ASEAN Cup in Singapore. This runs from Sept. 1 to Sept.
14.

Indonesia is grouped with Taiwan, Laos and South Korea in the
Singaporean tournament. Indonesia will face Laos in its opening
match on Sep. 2.

After the championships, the players will have a two-week rest
before regrouping in Jakarta on Sep. 27. They all will have to
undergo physical tests on Sep. 28 and 29 before resuming their
centralized training program here on Oct. 1.

Danurwindo also announced that the Indonesian under-19 team
will return home from Italy on June 4. It will fly to Ghuangzhou,
China, on June 12 for the World Youth Cup Group eight matches
against China, Hong Kong and Vietnam.

The other junior team will also be sent to South Korea for the
World Under-16 Championship qualifier against Taiwan, South Korea
and Laos. (yan)