Manager buries players' rare chance to play against United

JAKARTA (JP): Top striker Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto and his PSM Makassar teammate Bima Sakti will miss out on the once-in-a- lifetime opportunity of competing against English champion Manchester United because of two local matches.

In a move that surprised many observers, PSM management rejected an offer to include the two players on Malaysia's national team, which will clash with United at Kuala Lumpur's National Stadium on July 21 during the English club's Asia Tour 2001.

PSM manager Kadir Halid regretted that the players were unable to take up the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM)'s offer, saying the two were needed for the club's second-round matches of the Bank Mandiri national league.

"PSM will face Petrokimia of Gresik, East Java, on July 19 and Persema of Malang, also in East Java, on July 22. It would be difficult for us not to have them for such decisive matches," Kadir told The Jakarta Post by phone from Surabaya on Friday.

Kadir admitted that neither of these matches would affect the defending champion's chances of reaching the final eight of the league.

PSM currently stands atop the eastern division and a victory over Persebaya Surabaya on Sunday will assure it of a place in the quarterfinals. The club's final match of the second round will be against Arema Malang on Aug. 2.

FAM secretary-general Dato' Dell Akbar had forwarded the invitation for Kurniawan and Bima to join Malaysia's squad for the friendly through his counterpart at the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI), Tri Goestoro.

United is also scheduled to face the Singapore national team at the National Stadium in Singapore on July 24 and the Thai national team at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on July 28.

Kadir thanked FAM for their offer. "Insya Allah (God wiling), we will be able to cooperate on other occasions."

Discussing PSM's preparations for the Ho Chi Minh Cup in Vietnam from Aug. 10 to Aug. 18, Kadir said his club would definitely need additional players from other teams.

"We are ready for the competition. We will need additional players, including three defenders, one midfielder and one striker for the Cup. PSSI earlier agreed to allow PSM to hire players from outside the club, so we will consult with PSSI about the players."

He pledged his squad would do their best in the Cup. "We are not satisfied with only participating in the event. We will make an effort to be the best."

PSSI assigned PSM to replace the national team in the event. The national team withdrew because of a fear of injuries ahead of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur. The soccer qualifying matches for the Games will begin on Sept. 1.

The national team will travel to Perth, Australia, on Sunday for a number of friendlies with local clubs. (ivy)