Kim Swee defies critics again

MANY doubted coach Ong Kim Swee’s ability as a coach, but the former international has proved his critics wrong by guiding Malaysia to the Sea Games final for the second time in his career after the 2011 success in the Indonesia edition.

It has been challenging for Kim Swee this year. First, his father, Ong Chwee Guan died and then he was demoted from national coach to the youth team, both in March.

Those were difficult times but Kim Swee overcame the difficulties and now he could make history in the Sea Games final at Shah Alam Stadium tomorrow.

In late 2015, the 47-year-old was overlooked by the FA of Malaysia (FAM) when they picked German Frank Bernhardt to coach the 2017 Sea Games team.

Then, Kim Swee was the caretaker national team coach before his role was made permanent in January, 2016. However, he was re-designated to the Sea Games team when Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim was elected as FAM president in March.

The move by FAM can be regarded as a masterstroke as Kim Swee is now enjoying his best years as a coach with the youth team.

Last month, the Melaka-born guided Malaysia to next year’s AFC Under-23 Championships by topping the qualifiers in Bangkok. And tomorrow, Kim Swee will be eyeing a second Sea Games title as a coach when his team play 15-time champions