Veteran Robby Darwis rejects Asia Cup call-up

Veteran Robby Darwis rejects Asia Cup call-up

JAKARTA (JP): Robby Darwis, the veteran utility player of
Persib Bandung, confirmed on Wednesday his refusal to join the
national team for the 15th Asia Cup finals in the United Arab
Emirates from Dec. 3 to Dec. 20.

Robby was quoted by Kompas yesterday as saying that he was no
longer interested in playing for the national team after being
blamed for causing Indonesia's 3-1 semifinal defeat to Malaysia
at the inaugural Tiger Cup in Singapore last month.

The formal reason he gave for the refusal, however, was that
he needed to focus more closely on his studies. Coach Danurwindo
said Robby had told him he was unable to join the team because he
was completing his thesis.

Anang Ma'ruf of Persebaya Surabaya was another wanted player
whose availability is doubtful because there has been no news
from him thus far.

"I do not know why he did not come today. I do hope he can
join us soon," Danurwindo said after training with his charges at
the Lebak Bulus stadium in South Jakarta on Wednesday.

Danurwindo said Aples Tecuari or Sudirman might replace Robby,
the most senior among the 24 players called for the Asia Cup-
bound team.

Two of Danurwindo's choices, Kurnia Sandy and Bima Sakti, are
still in Europe but will join the team later. Another player,
Ansyari Lubis of Pelita Jaya, was injured and could not train
with the team.

The training session will last until Oct. 22. On Oct. 23 the
team takes on Iraq in a friendly at the Senayan stadium. On Oct.
24 the Indonesians go to Italy and Saudi Arabia for further
training and warm-up games, before starting their Asia Cup finals
group matches in Abu Dhabi. (arf)