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.