They've got the winning cup

Madam Betty Goh had redeemed only one collectible World Cup mug.

But that solo mug won her $300 cash and a World Cup jerseybecause it had the winning flag and number combination for the ongoing contest organised by The New Paper.

"The World Cup comes only once every four years, so I thought, 'Why not get some collectibles?'," said the housewife, who has been reading TNP daily since it began in 1988.

She was elated when she saw the paper last Wednesday and realised that the mug, which she had redeemed just days earlier, was one of the winning mugs for the week.

Another winner, security officer Tamilarasan Kulandavelu, has redeemed 38 mugs in all.

The 46-year-old has been a TNP fan since Day 1. He said: "I don't have time to follow the World Cup on TV, I just read the results in The New Paper."

Mr Tamilarasan gave some of his mugs to his sister-in-law and plans to give his World Cup jersey to his brother.

Two other lucky winners are Mr Kamal Asmin (below), 45, and Mr Loh Suan Phat, 64.

COULDN'T BELIEVE IT

When Mr Kamal read that one of his 10 mugs had won, he almost could not believe his eyes.

The delivery assistant has been reading TNP for five years, calling it "very compact and complete".

Mr Loh had asked his daughter to check if any of his two mugs had the winning combination published in TNP.

Demand for the World Cup collectible mugs has been very strong.

One coupon is printed in every copy of TNP. Collect 10 to redeem a random mug with one of eight World Cup team flag designs.

The mug can be redeemed from all 7-Eleven outlets except those at the airport, while stocks last.

The 10th coupon has to come from a copy of TNP bought at the 7-Eleven outlet where you are redeeming the mug.

This week's winning mug, announced on Wednesday, is Spain with the number "2".

To claim your prize, take your winning mug to the 7-Eleven at 12, Gopeng Street, Icon Village #01-17, on July 10, from 8pm to 9pm.