Ministers, diplomatic corps play in Rp 3b soccer friendly

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The friendly match between Indonesian Cabinet ministers and members of the foreign diplomatic corps in Jakarta played here on Saturday must go down in history as the most lucrative soccer game ever staged in the country.

After two halves of only twenty minutes each, and on a soccer field that was only two-thirds the size of a normal pitch succeeded in raising Rp 3 billion (US$300,000) in cash for flood victims.

The charity event was opened by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. Also seen in the background is Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda (photo above).

The two teams settled for a 2-2 draw to the delight of Megawati, who then sang a song entitled Cinta Hampa (Empty Love), at the end of the game.

During the game substitutions were so uncontrolled that at one point there were 14 players on one side, causing several delays.

The host led 1-0 at the end of the first half, courtesy of Minister of Research and Technology Hatta Radjasa, who scored in the first 10 minutes.

But the diplomatic corps, led by Belgian Ambassador Luc Dames Darras, put Indonesia's keeper, Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso, under pressure during the second half.

The "visiting team" fought back with two consecutive goals by Algerian Ambassador Soffiane Minuomi.

The Indonesian team was lucky to level the score 2-2 courtesy of former national soccer star, Ronny Pattinasarani, who scored with a spectacular volley seconds before the game ended.