Coach backs Van Basten stand
EUROPEAN Cup winning coach Fabio Capello of Italian powerhouse AC Milan defended his club's decision not to release Dutch star striker Marco Van Basten for next week's World Cup as he arrived in Hong Kong.
Capello passed through the territory yesterday with his all-conquering side on their way to Shenzhen where they will take on Brazilian club Vasco da Gama in tomorrow's China Bicycle Cup exhibition match.
The wily Capello, who masterminded Milan's 4-0 thrashing of Barcelona in the European Cup final last month, said it was out of the question to release the Dutchman - just back from a year's absence due to serious ankle injury which required two operations - because the three-time European Player of the Year lacks fitness.
''It's impossible. Van Basten can't possibly play. It's incredulous (to think so). He has had no training, no working, no nothing,'' said Capello after the team arrived at Kai Tak airport.
''He has been struggling with injuries all year and we're looking to Van Basten for next season when he will team up with Ruud (Gullit),'' he said.
Van Basten was invited to become the 22nd and final player in the Dutch squad after Gullit left their training camp without offering any explanation.
The invitation was initially accepted by Van Basten, who told Dutch coach Dick Advocaat he was ready to replace Gullit.
But within 24 hours, he had reversed his decision and Advocaat called in Anderlecht striker John Bosman in place of the Dutch master.
Capello, who has tipped Brazil to win the World Cup, is looking forward to next season when Van Basten links up with Gullit again.
Gullit has agreed to join the European Cup champions from Sampdoria.
AC Milan's transit through the territory went off with only a slight hitch.
The party was delayed for 30 minutes after Yugoslav forward Dejan Savicevic - who scored in AC Milan's 4-0 win over Barcelona - needed to be issued with a visa. The problem was soon rectified.
Meanwhile, three more Russians have been signed by Hong Kong First Division club Happy Valley.
They are: 27-year-old goalkeeper Victor Derbunov and midfielders Murat Ganeev (26) and 29-year-old Renat Ataulin.
The recruits are all former Moscow Dynamo players with Derbunov having had experience in Mexico and Yugoslavia.
Guneev has travelled to Sri Lanka and Ataulin has played in Switzerland.
Team manager Leung Tsz-ming will fly to Moscow later this month to arrange for the trio to come to Hong Kong at the end of July.
In other team news, South China have decided to sign Australian-based Croatian Kris Trajanovski in a one-season deal.
South China will pay Australian side Sydney Olympic A$5,000 as Trajanovski's loan fee.
