PSSI increases cash bonus

JAKARTA (JP): The Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) will increase the cash bonus for national players should they win in their away matches.

PSSI spokesman Eddi Elison said on Thursday that the decision was made based on an agreement between the official in charge of athlete development Ismet D. Tahir and team manager Irawadi D. Hanafi.

"For an away match against Cambodia, the Maldives and China, the bonuses are raised from Rp 1 million (US$85) to Rp 1.5 million each if the team win and Rp 750,000 for a tie.

"Especially for the away match against China, each player will get Rp 10 million for winning and Rp 5 million for drawing. For the home match against China, a win will be worth Rp 5 million and a draw Rp 2.5 million."

PSSI will also raise the players' performance fees.

"A player earns a fee of Rp 600,000 for an away match and Rp 400,000 for a home match. Their allowances will also be increased to Rp 200,000 per day during a home match to Rp 300,000 per day during an away match," Eddi said.

The national team arrived in Phnom Penh Thursday for the World Cup qualifier against host Cambodia on Sunday.

The team has picked Singapore as its homebase for its away matches.

Indonesia is scheduled to play Maldives in Male on May 6. A week later, it will fly to Kunming to challenge hot favorite China on May 13.

Indonesia will host China on May 27.

Indonesia's team medic Harun Pardede said the team would train for the next three days in the evening.

"I think three days of acclimatization in Phnom Penh is enough. Moreover, the temperature here is not that different to Jakarta's," he was quoted by Eddi as saying.

Physical trainer Syafruddin Fabanyo said the players did not need intensive training because they were already in a fit condition.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. The players have good physical fitness although they have to undergo exhausting journeys. They understand that they must maintain their fitness and they can do it." (ivy)