Indonesian Soccer Team Could Earn Rp2 Bln Bonus

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The All-Indonesia Football Association (PSSI) has pledged to award bonuses of Rp2 billion to the country's U-23 national team if it wins a gold medal at the upcoming SEA Games in Myanmar. The PSSI aims to win a gold medal at the event, the chief of the national team association, La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti, said here on Tuesday. In the SEA Games held in Jakarta and Palembang in 2011, the Indonesian soccer team lost to Malaysia in the finals. "Our goal is to win at the SEA Games and the bonus plan has already been drafted," he added. The national team is in the final phase of preparations before they leave for Myanmar. The Indonesian team won the MNC Cup 2013 held in Jakarta late last month. Indonesia, Laos, Papua New Guinea and the Maldives participated in the mini tournament. In the upcoming SEA Games, Indonesia will play against Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste and Cambodia in group B. In the qualifying rounds, Indonesia will play against Cambodia on Dec. 9, Thailand on Dec. 12, Timor Leste on Dec. 14 and Myanmar on Dec. 16. "There are no lightweight opponents. Every team we will face is strong. Therefore, we ask all our players to perform to the best of their abilities as they will be representing our nation," he said. (*)