VINGADA TOLD TO GO FOR YOUNG GUNS

National Under-19 coach says he should change the whole senior team if necessary

NATIONAL Under-19 coach Bojan Hodak has urged senior team coach Nelo Vingada to pick young players for international assignments.

Hodak and Vingada have known each other since 2011 when both were coaching teams in the Chinese Super League

The 46-year-old Hodak was the assistant coach of Shandong Luneng, while Vingada was Dalian Shide F.C’s head trainer.

Both spent only a season with their respective teams.

“Vingada needs to completely change the national team. The Portuguese is an experienced coach and I am confident he will be a success here,” Hodak told Timesport yesterday.

“Vingada was in China when I was there, and he was one of the best paid coaches at that time.

“I know for a fact that he is a good coach, but he needs time with the national team.”

Malaysia have so far lost all three international matches under Vingada, who was hired by the FA of Malaysia in May.

However, the 64-year-old is expected to earn his first win in the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong at Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka today.

“I think the biggest problem Vingada is having is that he expects more from his national players.

“But instead, he has to work on some basic things with them during centralised training.

“I believe it is better for him to take young players because they would listen more in both matches and training.

“He can develop these youngsters and help them improve in all aspects.

“If you depend on seniors, sometimes they do not want to follow as they are already near the end of their careers.

“They are only interested in earning high wages and they do not really want to improve,” Hodak added.