JAKARTA (JP): A Rp 50 million (US$23,500) bonus awaits each

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)