Swines disarray football practice

PEKANBARU, Riau (JP): A herd of swines overran a soccer field, where villagers were practicing for the much-coveted Independence Cup, and killed one player, a report said yesterday.

The scrimmage in the Indragiri Hulu district turned into chaos when spectators and players teamed up and charged the rampaging beasts coming from nearby bushes.

Soccer star Mistar, 25, a father of one child, died from losing too much blood after one of the swines turned around and stabbed him in the body with its sharp tusks, witnesses said.

The villagers were practicing for an inter-village soccer match to be held in honor of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence that falls on Aug. 17.

Antara reported that the swines, whose exact number was unknown, were repulsed and some were killed after people mobilized their hunting dogs. (pan)