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)