Milan here for friendly matches

JAKARTA (JP): Local soccer fans will find their long-time dreams of having a close encounter with AC Milan come true as the Italian giants arrive here this afternoon for two friendly matches in Indonesia.

European champion Milan, fresh from its Latin American outings, will include 23 players. French mid-fielder Marcel Desailly became the first visitor to come here yesterday, while his teammates took a rest in Singapore after a tiring flight from Colombia.

Desailly missed Milan's recent tour as he powered his national team at the Kirin Cup in Japan. France beat the host 4-1 for the cup.

In the absence of its seven international players who will wear the Italian colors in the World Cup finals in the United States, Milan brings seven co-Italian premier league footballers in Saturday's match against the inter-city amateur championship Persib Bandung at Senayan stadium.

Coach Fabio Capello has picked Uruguayan Enzo Francescoli of Torino, Stefano Desideri of Udinese, Paolo Baldieri of Lecce, Stefano Torrisi, Michele Padovano, Christian Lantignotti of Reggiana and Roberto Lorenzini of Genoa. They will take the places of Franco Baresi, Alesandro Costacurta, Mauro Tassoti, Paolo Maldini, Demitrio Albertini, Roberto Donadoni and Daniele Massaro.

Dane Brian Laudrup, Dejan Savicevic, Zvonimir Boban, Fernando de Napoli, goalie Sebastiano Rossi and Fillipo Gali will also included among Capello's 23 players who will start their Asian tour here.

Savicevic struck for Milan's only goal in its 1-2 defeat to World Cup finalist Colombia on Sunday. Parma's Faustino Asprilla and Freddy Rincon spurred the Colombian national team to a 2-0 lead before the break.

Milan, which will receive US$ 265,000 for its June 4 appearance, will be the second Italian giant to run on Senayan stadium's green grass. Sampdoria gave Indonesian footballers a soccer lesson on May 8 in its 3-2 win over Liga Selection. (amd)