JANUARY 10, 2007 (JAKARTA) - The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) will not be satisfied with anything less than a victory in the forthcoming Asean Football Championship which kicks-off later this week.

The governing body for football in Southeast Asia's most populous nation issued the ultimatum to the coach earlier this week.

According to a report in the Jakarta Post, Englishman Peter Withe has been told that he must lead the team to the title. In fact, PSSI has even promised bonus payments to the team in it wins the final.

However, should the team fall short, it would mean the end of the road for Withe, who has numerous Tiger Cup and SEA games winner's medals in his pocket. Withe is considered the most successful coach in Southeast Asian competitions, this includes the Tiger Cup and SEA Games.

Withe's team has been hit by a string of poor performances in recent months. After losing the Merdeka Tournament final in Malaysia (losing 1-0 to Myanmar), Indonesia lost all three matches during the Vietnam BV Cup.

Recently, in a friendly against club side Persita Tangerang, the national team could only muster a 0-0 draw. This week, things took a turn for the better when Withe's boys defeated Persib Bandung 2-0.

Meanwhile, Nike Indonesia country director Raymond Chew pledged bonuses to the national team if it won the Asean Championship. He was speaking at a ceremony to announce the partnership between Nike Indonesia and the PSSI.

Under the partnership, Nike will provide the national team kits for the under-15, under-20, under-23, senior team, national futsal team and women's team until 2011. Nike will also supply balls for the Indonesian League.

Nugraha Besoes, PSSI's secretary general, said the partnership was a good deal for the association. "It is 10 times bigger than our previous agreement," he said.