THE Hongkong League XI squad will share a $400,000 jackpot if they win the Lunar New Year tournament at Mongkok Stadium tomorrow.
Hongkong, who beat Denmark Under-21s 5-0 in the first semi-final on Saturday, have been promised a bonus of $20,000 a man for victory over Switzerland in the final.
One of Hongkong's four team managers, Kimmy Shuen, said: ''We offered the players $10,000 a man to beat Denmark and are quite happy to double that if they beat Switzerland and win the Cup.
''We think it is important for Hongkong to do well in this tournament and the money will provide them with an extra incentive to be successful.'' With official prize money of $120,000 for the champions, this would mean Hongkong's 17-strong squad sharing a minimum of $400,000 for a third successive Lunar New Year title.
The full bonus is paid to the starting 11, plus substitutes who come on, while the squad members who stay on the bench receive only half the amount. On Saturday, three of the six substitutes got a run, meaning over $200,000 in bonuses and prize money is already guaranteed.
Last season, after victories over Swiss side Young Boys in the semi-final and Yugoslav club Partizan Belgrade in the final, both on penalties, the players received around $28,000 each for their success.