PSM to host Asian Club C'ships

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has appointed the national league champion PSM of Makassar to host the quarterfinals for the eastern Asia zone of the Asian Club Championships next March.

As host, PSM will receive some US$75,000 in financial support for accommodation and transportation of AFC officials, referees and participants from Japan, China and South Korea.

PSM chairman HB Amiruddin Maula said on Thursday the province would improve the Mattoangin stadium where the matches would be staged.

"Makassar will gain recognition in the international community. We will do our best to be a good host and provide world-class service. As chairman, I will discuss with the related institutions about this. One thing for sure is that, we are ready to host the event," he told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

PSM team manager Kadir Halid expressed his hope that PSM would benefit from playing in its home base. "The appointment of Makassar as host will be advantageous for us because PSM is usually hard to defeat at home," he said. (27)