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)