Persib Bandung draws with Argentinian visitors

BANDUNG (JP): Persib Bandung held its Argentinian guests to a goalless draw in a disappointing match in the Siliwangi Stadium watched by around 10,000 spectators Saturday.

The Argentinians were here to offer themselves to Indonesian soccer clubs, whose owners specially came to Bandung to watch them.

Tri Gustoro, manager of Indonesia League champion Mastrans Bandung Raya, has repeatedly said that he badly needed a striker to replace Dejan Glucevic of Montenegro, who is soon to start playing for Jakarta soccer club Pelita Jaya. Tri said that he also needed a midfielder and a goalkeeper.

The match between the Argentinians and Persib Bandung was rather lackluster. It was the hosts who played more aggressively and often forced the guests to defend frantically.

After the match, however, only seven of the Argentinians had attracted local club owners' attention. They are strikers Gabrel M, Gabril Molinari, Marcelo Munoz, midfielders Diego Godoy, Marcelo Mecina, Carlos Tenelli and Diego D.

The Argentinians were sent by the Argentina Football Association. They are being offered at US$5,000 per month. Tri said that his club, even though it badly needed them, would not be able to pay them that much. Tri, who was particularly impressed by Marcelo Mecina's match performance, added that Mastrans would bargain and added that his club might recruit foreign footballers to fill a variety of positions other than goalkeeper.

"The Argentinian goalie Dardo Cortes performed quite well but I opted for a local goalie," Tri said, declining to state the reason.

The visitors are scheduled to take on Persebaya in Surabaya, East Java, on Oct. 28, and to play Gelora Dewata in Denpasar, Bali, on Oct. 30.

It was the first time that a foreign team has visited Indonesia for such a purpose. (17/arf)