JAKARTA (JP): A Rp 50 million (US$23,500) bonus awaits each Ujungpandang player if the South Sulawesi squad manages to retain its title at the intercity amateur soccer championship which swings into full action today.

"Bonuses will serve as morale booster for our players to perform aggressively," team manager Tondo Widodo said during a press conference yesterday. The players have also been guaranteed Rp 20 million ($9,400) each if they advance to the final.

Tondo said that his side bears no mental burden as the defending champion. "We arrive here not as the reigning champion, but one of the eight teams which qualified for the finals."

Ujungpandang finished second behind 1988 winner Surabaya in the East Division qualifying round last February. Bringing 600 home supporters to the Senayan stadium, the title holder vows to make up for its unimpressive preliminary round defeat against unfavored Rembang today.

Displaying characteristic pressure, Ujungpandang only managed a 1-1 home draw and conceded a 1-0 defeat to the Central Javanese side during their qualifying round duel. Both squads are grouped with Bandung and Banda Aceh in pool K for the finals.

"We learned a lot from both matches," Ujungpandang coach Samsudin Umar said, adding that he had instructed his players to keep up the pressure on new aspirant Rembang.

Budi Cahyono, Rembang team manager, predicted that both sides will rely on their luck and mental preparedness to win today's match. "We are equal in quality, although we are not favored to triumph in this year's finals," said Budi.

Rembang will be with six players who formerly played for the semi professional Galatama league in the final round.

The opening day of the April 8-17 competition today will feature two matches in Group K, with favorite Bandung battling it out against Banda Aceh in the first match.

Bandung looks set for the Banda Aceh game, after convincing performances during the West Division qualifying round. The West Javanese team forced a 1-1 away draw against Banda Aceh and drubbed the visitors 4-0 at home.

Wardaya, an assistant to the Bandung team manager, said during the conference that his side is no longer a heavy favorite to regain the top honors. "We are not we were in 1990," he said, adding that 60 percent of Bandung's squad are making their first appearance at the finals.

"We beat an unfortunate Banda Aceh in our last meet," Wardaya said, adding that he believed the Aceh squad has improved greatly leading up to the finals. Aceh remains without the solid defense of Zulkifli Daud, who was banned for two years by the national soccer body after assaulting a referee during a match.

Coach Parlin Siagian has no choice but to assign the unexperienced A. Rachman in Zulkifli's stead. In the final round at Senayan, Aceh will have to bank on goal machine Dahlan Jalil and right winger A. Gamal in the front.

"Bandung was the most solid team during the qualifying round, but it is questionable whether it manages to maintain its impressive performance now," Parlin said.

Tickets are from between Rp 2,000 (94 cents) and Rp 20,000 ($9.40) for the matches through the quarterfinals round. The ticket prices rise to between Rp 3,000 ($1.40) and Rp 25,000 ($11.70) for Saturday's semifinals and Sunday's final. (amd)