PSSI asks for rematch in Winners

PSSI asks for rematch in Winners

JAKARTA (JP): The All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI)
submitted an appeal yesterday to the Asian Football Confederation
(AFC), concerning the disqualification of Bali-based Gelora
Dewata from the Asian Cup Winners Cup quarterfinals for
administrative carelessness.

PSSI secretary general Soeparjo Pontjowinoto told reporters
here yesterday that he had officially asked the AFC to lift the
punitive measure and to offer a rematch against Malaysia's Kuala
Lumpur.

"We don't want to lose in such a way. I think AFC will
understand," said Soeparjo. Gelora Dewata suffered a 1-2 away
loss to the Malaysians on Oct. 27, but won 3-2 on aggregate,
thanks to its 2-0 home victory a week before.

The AFC expelled the Indonesian side for fielding two overseas
players, Alfonso de Campos of Portugal and African star Mbog
Jeremie, whose transfers had not been properly completed, as
suggested by the world soccer body FIFA.

The winner of the quarterfinal match is tipped to meet
Thailand's Telephone Organization in a two-leg playoff scheduled
for Nov. 12 and 26.

An AFC spokesman was earlier yesterday quoted by Reuters as
saying that "as far as we are concerned" the regional soccer body
had closed the case.

In another Winners Cup quarterfinal match, Japanese Emperor
Cup champion AC Flugels faces Hong Kong's Instant-Dict. In West
Asia, Saudi Arabia's Riyadh-based Al Ittihad faces Qatar's Al
Sadd while the United Arab Emirates' Al-Shaab faces Iran's Navard
Loreh. The final four-team tournament will be held in mid-January
1995. (amd)