Brazilians quit soccer league

SEMARANG (JP): Two Brazilian soccer players, Arliston de Oliviera and Gabriel, have resigned from the Jepara Soccer Association (Persijap).

Team manager Bambang Sanubari said on Monday that he had no idea what the reasons for the resignation were, but both players had returned their contract money.

Bambang assumed they were disappointed with the amount of their contract and monthly salary.

"The money paid for their contract and salary are more than local players," he said without elaborating.

Bambang admitted that both players were badly needed for the 2001 Bank Mandiri national soccer league, which kicks off in Makassar on Jan. 14.

"But we can't do anything about their resignation. We're looking for substitutes in other clubs. We aim to reach the top eight at the league," he said, adding that he did not mind foreign or local players for the substitutes.

"We need players with a winning spirit and who really aim to defend Persijap." (har)